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 the shape of leadership

When It’s Time to Add, Part 2

Recognizing the right time to hire a new staff member

Chris Railey on September 15, 2017

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The goal of all our churches should be to become healthy, reproducing churches. And with that comes an expectation of growth. That is both exciting and challenging. One of the most difficult parts of becoming a growing church is hiring new staff members.

Let’s face it, almost every church would love to add a staff member or two to alleviate some of the current workload. You can always do more with more hands on deck. On top of that are the repeated requests from the congregation to add a youth pastor, middle school pastor, women’s pastor or whatever other specialized pastor they feel is needed. But when is it really time to add that new staff member?

A Look at the Numbers

There are two factors that drive the decision to add a staff member: budget and size. Recent studies reveal that the average share of budget for payroll is 45 percent. And that’s a pretty good indicator to use. If your giving increases, then it’s probably time to add staff. And if you’ve got room in the budget, you should be able to make the right move financially.

You should also look at the attendance figures as a gauge. What’s the right mix? Over the last 50 years, ministry leaders have debated the ratio of staff to members. In the 1960s, staffing was much leaner than it is today. The ratio of staff to members was 1:500. The specialization of ministry today and a hire demand has moved the needle in this area. By the 1980s, that number increased to about 1:100. And today, most church growth specialists have found a sweet spot at around 1:75.

The fact of the matter is, there’s no one right answer to the ratio question. There are, however, plenty of wrong ones if all you’re looking at is numbers. The focus should be on your mission and vision, as well as the context of your ministry. Urban areas will have different staffing demands than rural or suburban churches. And younger, growing churches will feel the pressure more than well-established congregations.

Some Questions to Ask

If you’re thinking it may be time to add a new staff member, here are some questions to ask yourself and your team as you start the process.

Have we rewarded our existing staff yet? An increase in your budget dollars may be an opportunity to hand out raises. Think about the people who have worked hard to get your church to where it is now. Make sure the pay is fair and that your team feels valued. There are several tools that can help you determine the current salary level for your staff. Generous employers produce committed staff members.

Another thing to consider is the motivation behind the new hire. While you should definitely reward hard work, don’t use the hiring of additional staff as a way to cover up the inadequacies of a current team member.

The focus should be on your mission and vision, as well as the context of your ministry.

What do we need to do, and whom do we need to do it? Let your vision drive the process. What has God placed on your heart to accomplish? When you first started out, you had plenty of passions and drivers. As you’ve moved along, you’ve realized that some things were easier to accomplish than you thought, while others had to be put on the shelf. With a new staff member, though, you may be able to revisit those dreams.

Where is the burning God-given desire of your heart leading you, and who has God put on your mind — that one person you think can help your church achieve it? (It could very well be just one person you’re looking for instead of several.) Think about paying more for less.

High-capacity leaders may take more of the payroll budget, but they can be big difference makers. Look for people who have a real knack for turning attenders into volunteers. And focus on building teams, not just building a staff.

Are there any glaring gaps? In Acts 6, there was a problem in the Early Church. The Greek Christian widows were being neglected when it came to charity programs. The apostles decided the best way to address the issue was with new staff members. And that may be the case with your church.

If you look closely enough, you’ll probably find gaps in your coverage. It may not be on anybody’s radar, but the Holy Spirit can lead you to uncover them. By filling an otherwise unknown gap, you not only take care of an issue, but you also position yourself for a big win. Hiring a non-traditional staff member may spark new growth as this person focuses on concerns that are bigger than the day-to-day ministry.

Are we fully leveraging our existing volunteers? Before deciding on a new hire, ask yourself whether the need can be addressed from within the congregation. Healthy churches will help their attenders become fully committed volunteers. They also identify key volunteers for leadership roles.

Overstaffing can be as big a problem as understaffing. Thom Rainer warns, “Don’t hire if it takes ministry away from laity.”

Empowering your people to use their gifts for the Kingdom is a vital part of their personal spiritual growth.

When the need for more staff presents itself, it’s exciting. But hiring additional staff is never a silver bullet for your growing pains. In fact, it can often bring on more problems. Consider the ramifications of what more staffing will mean: the necessity of an HR department, increased reliance on systems, and the need for more structured leadership development tracks, as well as any personality clashes that can occur.

When you add it all up, though, a new staff member can make a huge impact when the time is right.

See also “When It’s Time to Add, Part 1.”

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