Podcast Episode #438
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Staff reviews can be tricky for some pastors and church leaders. Today we discuss tips for doing those well.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- A negative staff review should not be a surprise to the staff member.
- When setting goals for a staff member, they need to have input on the goals.
- Supervisors need to have a relationship with the person on staff that they are evaluating.
- If a staff issue is affecting the culture of the church or staff, it must be dealt with quickly.
The seven issues we cover on this episode are:
- No single way
- The best review has no surprises
- Have the staff set goals and time lines
- Agree on a course of action to bridge gaps
- If the situation is difficult, have a second person lead the review with you
- Be consistent with reviews
- Keep careful written records, signed by both the pastor and staff
Episode Sponsors
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If you’re interested in joining, visit vanderbloemen.com/coaching for more information.
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Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Becoming a Welcoming Church.
At the end of my first year in my second church, I received a staff review from the pastor which was one negative surprise after another. He was critical of the way I did things, these just didn’t meet his “standards.” Not a single item of the “review” concerned an issue with the membership. I was so stunned by his “review” I never heard any positive remarks, if there were any. I lost a lot of respect for this pastor over the items he chose to “critique.” If he had ever come out of his office, he would have gotten a different picture. After this first “staff review,” I left his office deflated, upset, and angry. I stayed only two more years at this church, dreading each yearly “staff review”, thinking, what have I done wrong this year? I know I make mistakes and everything I do is not perfect. In my education, I had to learn how to give a review in different ways which does not tear down the one being reviewed. It is not a difficult thing to do, but does require some thought. I am thankful for my current church and pastor. I’ve had 21 years of wonderful ministry here!