You ask for feedback at a staff meeting and get crickets. People are doing their job…but no more. There is a general lack of “team” amongst the staff. You’ve tried team building exercises and retreats, adjusting your goals, even bringing in a consultant to help build buy-in and unity. But it all eventually fades back into crickets. If you want to see God do amazing through your ministry, you need a proven way to renew your staff’s energy.
There are many reasons that this could be happening. Some are on you. Some may have nothing to do with you. Whatever the reason, there is a solution that will renew your staff’s energy and bring a sense of belonging and purpose to each member of your team. Are you willing to do it?
3 Steps to Renew Staff Energy
1. Widen your vision
Ministry leaders often have a clear vision and look to their team to help make that vision a reality. On the surface, this is a solid strategy. However, it’s easy for this leader-focused vision to become so narrow that it stunts what God is doing in others. God is at work in each of us in similar—but unique—ways. Your vision needs to be big enough that it sparks vision in your team and empowers them to pursue what God is calling them to do.
The simplest way to widen your vision is to maintain a posture of curiosity. That means honing your skill to ask good questions and listen well. Start paying attention to conversations around you. How can you tell when someone is genuinely interested in others? What stands out as different from conversations where you can sense disinterest or lack of care? It’s likely that the person who is curious doesn’t seem to have an agenda, they aren’t interrupting or trying to make a point. Their full attention is on the person and they ask follow-up questions that demonstrate that they are listening and making connections.
God is capable of more than we can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). By maintaining a posture of curiosity, asking good questions and listening well, you will gain a greater understanding of what God is doing. You will start to see how diverse gifts and passions bring about the fullness of God’s vision for humanity and the Church. Your vision will widen to accommodate what God is doing in and through others.
2. Focus on individuals
Gen Z has brought fresh appreciation for individual interests and the importance of protecting personal agency in the work place. In the church, this looks like honoring the Body of Christ metaphor. When we recognize, utilize, and celebrate the differences in others we better reflect the wholeness of the image of God. And guess what? It makes for more effective ministry.
This begins with developing a personal rapport with each member. Demonstrate how they are important to the overall mission by clarifying their role and defining mutual expectations. Take it a step further by checking in with them regularly. Each time, reflect on helping them see their current realities and define key issues that need addressing.
We are still talking about a team dynamic—the health of the whole depends on the health of the individual parts. If one team member is off in some way, others will need to step in to make up for it. This cannot be maintained indefinitely. In fact, the strain will grow exponentially leaving the whole feeling depleted. Focusing on individuals builds energy and a strong team.
3. Empower strengths
You’ve heard this one before. It might even feel cliché. In this case, its because there often isn’t action behind the words. When leaders have a narrow focus their goals become primary. As needs arrive, they look for people who might be able to meet those needs without considering them as people. For example, a night time Bible Study needs childcare. A Children’s Church volunteer might be the first place you look. After all, they are good with kids and already have the background check. The trouble is childcare is very different than teaching. No elementary school teacher spends their summer babysitting.
Make sure job descriptions align with personal strengths. Help your team members formulate work goals that include personal development. Invest in your team and be a resource and cheering section as they grow.
Keep in mind that challenge is good—it keeps people sharp and growing. But living in a constant state of challenge results in burnout. When people are operating in their strengths they are able to sustain energy. They are actually more eager for challenges in areas they are strong in because it is work that hones their own skill and makes their contribution more meaningful.
Does this sound familiar?
The three steps above encompass the basics of Christian Coaching. Listening and asking good questions are the pillars upon which coaching stands. The coaching relationship moves fluidly between relating, reflecting, refocusing, resourcing, and reviewing. In the hands of an excellent coach, these components help individuals—and teams—craft effective strategies to develop effective leaders and make vision become reality.
Coaching has skyrocketed in popularity but the kind of coaching we see being elevated is more like mentoring. It says, “Do what I do and you will have the same success I have.” It feeds off of a “I want what you have” attitude—coveting. And it rarely delivers. Why? Because God’s plan is bigger than duplication. God’s plan is complex and diverse. It is making disciples of all peoples. On a macro scale that means nations and cultures reflecting the image of God. A micro scale would include personalities, quirks, gifts, talents brought together to offer a more complete image of God.
To get the best results in renewing staff energy and catalyzing strategic and effective ministry takes coaching skill. If you are new to coaching or for a refresher on these basics, Christian Coaching Essentials is an fantastic place to start.
Resources
If you know the basics of coaching but aren’t seeing the kind of results you want, it’s time to grow your skill.
Start with the 360° Christian Coach Assessment. This online tool is the only assessment for Christian coaches that is backed by thorough qualitative research. It clearly and accurately identifies your coaching strengths and areas for improvement.
Once you know where you need to grow in order to maximize your effectiveness as a coach, Christian Coaching Excellence is the next step. This book introduces you to a pathway to raise your effectiveness as a coach and help your clients accomplish more. There are steps for growth in each of the 9 competencies and exercises to help you grow in any of the 55 behavioral expressions. When used in conjunction with the 360° Christian Coach Assessment you can target exactly where you need to grow
More coaches means more widespread results. Barnabas Ministry Training is a simple and reproducible system for local churches looking to provide basic coach training for their staff and lay leaders. Training can be done in small groups or even via video conferencing. Each of the 8 learning units includes instruction, discussion, and practice. Included in this downloadable kit is a Facilitator Guide, Participant Guides, and access to online video instruction by Dr. Bob Logan.