BE CAREFUL when you hire people in the first place. If you don’t know what’s “wrong” with them when you hire them, you don’t know enough…

But this is a two-way street.  More than once I’ve gone to a meeting where those doing the hiring put on the most positive spin but a few months later you find out your working for the Jekyll & Hyde Community Church.
What is the person who’s hoping to get hired suppose to do, go digging around for “what’s wrong” with the church, the “team” or the pastor?  Boy, that’ll get you hired!  Especially if word gets back...and it will!
I’ve served in places where passionate, committed and capable people were hired for those very qualities only to be hobble & ham-strung by those with control issues.  The turnover rate was unbelievable and the outgoing person would often get labeled as the problem.
Now they get to look for another place to serve and have to answer as to why they were “let go?” In explaining, you run the risk of sounding like a malcontent and, gee, that really improves your hiring potential.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about the importance of Pastoral Leadership and Vision.  I thought Craig G. was great at Catalyst and I enjoy and learn from his insights as well as many others who serve in lead positions.  I get it.
But please forgive me if I sound a little tired of hearing about how important and potentially difficult and even dangerous it is in dealing with us “peons.” Many of us feel just as called to positions as associates or support staff as any leading pastor.
I’ve been burned and burnt out by both churches & Pastor/Leaders.  I’ve been left holding the bag, the mop and the bucket to clean up the mess they’ve left behind.  And it’s not just me, I have a family to.

The way I see it is that we are all in this together and the clock is ticking and we are very responsible...ALL of us.  I know the place God has called me to at this time in my life.  I LIKE supporting the mission, the vision and who’s leading.  But, that doesn’t mean I like to get my chain yanked nor be spoken to as though my name is “boy.”

Great list!  Thanks!  I personally have never had to let someone go, but I see people in the wrong positions all the time.  Sad. Everyone ends up being hurt in the long run.

I have been in a position (volunteer) where I wasn’t seen as the right fit.  However, it was not handled well.  My advice would be to be honest and upfront.  Hurts for a bit, but it’s better than being strung along thinking you are doing a good job. Don’t let someone stumble along to avoid hurting their feelings.