Many pastors we’ve spoken to recently are expressing significant difficulty in finding called and qualified staff to join their teams. We’ve been tackling this subject on the Leading from Alignment podcast, and you’ve joined us here on the blog right in the middle of that series. We are addressing the idea of staffing your church from within. You can hear those podcasts in their entirety here and here.

Converge Coaching’s own Jim Wiegand pastors a church in Michigan, and on the podcast, he shared how his salvation experience, coupled with his early years of ministry, shaped his current philosophy of ministry. The way he leads his church is built on the foundation of those early years.

He firmly believes discipleship is the core of ministry and that all ministry/service in the Church flows from it. Jim contends his main role as pastor is to help others discover their own calling. He does so by asking two key questions:

1. What did God save you from?
2. What do you believe He saved you for?

He then does his best to find ways to help his church family discover what God saved them for.

We contend that churches can thrive when staffed from within. We’ve all heard stories of the lead pastor moving on from staff members because he or she just “didn’t get the culture of the church.” Raising up leaders from within tend to help with the culture issue.

Jim practices what he preaches . . . The church he leads is entirely staffed with “homegrown” individuals. While this isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all model, it certainly can work well in many environments.

As people get saved and discipled in your church, find their ministry roles, and begin to lead, it’s only natural the church they were saved in becomes their home in every sense. Their roots, family, and friendships are all intertwined in that community, which minimizes the pull to leave and the probability they will misunderstand the culture of the church and community.

As you lead and disciple, keep in mind Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

God has placed people in our church for such a time as this. Each one is designed with a specific purpose God created them to fulfill. It’s part of your calling as a pastor to help them discover that specific purpose.

Allow us to give you a few practical tips for raising up leaders from within: 

1. Focus on releasing people into their God-given purpose, rather than simply filling roles.
2. Imagine ministry as a pyramid where the foundation provides stability. The focus isn’t on how high the structure gets, but rather the strength of the foundation on which it’s built.
3. Ask people thoughtful questions. No one knows them better than they know themselves.

If the people you are discipling are still unsure of their purpose and calling, these questions can help:

1. Passion: What are you passionate about? What genuinely excites you?What is work that energizes you and brings you joy?
2. Pain: What causes you pain? What breaks your heart?
3. Proficiency: What are you naturally good at?

There is a sweet spot where your passion, pain, and proficiency overlap. And we believe that sweet spot is where your purpose lies.

We will close out our podcast series on staffing from within the next week. John and Jim will interview a staff pastor who serves in a church that focuses on this very model. He will emphasize the importance of cultivating a growth mindset within the church and how training your church in the culture of service must permeate every part of the ministry.

What’s unique about this church is it’s located in a part of the state and a community where you wouldn’t expect to see the large number of people serving on their volunteer teams.

You won’t want to miss the final installment of Leading from Alignment, dropping next week Tuesday. It is packed with practical action steps to help you move in the direction of staffing from within.

Remember: this strategic shift doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and prayer. We are ready to assist you if needed

 

We’re rooting and praying for you!

Jaime Hlavin