Top Ten Things That Will Make You Crazy Working at a Church
- Posted on April 01, 2010
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There was a great piece by Tim Schraeder over at CatalystSpace this past week about the top ten things that will drive you crazy about working for a church. See if any of these resonate with you...
1. We are really good at burning people out.
The average church employee stays at a church for about 2 years before they peace out. We all need to learn one simple word: NO. Even though something may be for a great cause, it's not worth losing your soul to make it happen.
2. We focus way too much on what we don't have.
We need to focus on what God CAN do rather than what we have to work with initially.
3. We are afraid of change.
We need to give change time and be more concerned with what the voice of God is saying to you and let that influence you more than the voices of other people.
4. We use "let me pray about it" as an excuse to get out of making decisions.
Wow. So true.
5. We LOVE meetings.
For some reason, we think that things get accomplished in meetings. They make us feel good about our progress. 95% of the time, meetings are a waste of time.
6. We try to do way too much.
Tim says: "Most churches are hyperactive and never sleep. We thrive on activity. The whole "less is more" thing hasn’t sunk in yet." I agree that this is the case in some churches. In other churches (maybe the majority) though, I think we try to do too little. While some churches are hyperactive, many more are asleep... not trying ANYTHING great for God. (In this point, I disagree a little with Tim).
7. We try to be something we're not.
Tim says: "If I see one more 40 something pastor dressed in Abercrombie so help me…" Amen, brother.
8. We spend too much time looking at other churches.
Again... agree: "Your church has a unique and specific role it’s meant to play in the life of your community. If your church ceased to exist, what would people miss? Whatever that is should be where you focus your time and energy."
9. We worry about people leaving.
"We're quick to cater to the needs [or demands] of people who have been around for a while instead of focusing the needs of people who are new."
Why do we do this? Money? Pride?
I like what one preacher said recently. "Some people look better goin' than comin'." Couldn't be MORE true sometimes.
10. We don't feel trusted.
Tim says: "For whatever reason churches tend thrive in a weird culture of mistrust. It's not or conducive to a positive working environment. Some churches have crazy rules, policies and procedures that create layers of red tape that, while probably well-intentioned, communicate a lack of trust."
Wow. That is so true. I've seen it time and time again, and it's something we've struggled with at my own church. Policies in and of themselves can foster an atmosphere of distrust. You've got to watch that one.
You can read much more of Tim's thoughts here...
OK... those are Tim's ten. Which ones do you agree or disagree with? And what would you add to the list? What is the ONE thing that is driving you crazy in your church job right now?
Todd
Comments
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Roger Lewis on Mon, November 08, 2010
What’s with the comment about 40 something pastors and what they wear? Are we telling each other how to dress now?
Paula on Wed, December 01, 2010
Meetings are miracles! People come, they take their precious time to do so and God’s Spirit dances in the imaginarium made when two or three (or more)gather. What amazing vision and mission are planned! But the follow through is really what brings people back to the next meeting. When folks see their visions enacted the resulting trust and spirit bring hope that the Church really is ALIVE!
p.s. I’m a 60 something pastor who usually wears Birkenstocks.
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