Leading With Culture In Church: The Unseen Power Of Behavior
An often-overlooked aspect of church leadership is the church staff culture. It's not merely about the values stated or written on the wall; indeed, it's what your team experiences every single day. The leadership habits set the tone for staff culture, whether intentionally or not. These habits, coupled with subtle cues your team picks up on, shape the real culture.
Church Staff Culture – Not Just Mere Words
The significance of culture in a church setting can't be overstated. Unlike values emblazoned on walls or church manifestos, real church staff culture is grounded in what your team feels when encountering meetings, emails, or conflict resolution.
Culture is a reflection of what you consistently permit and tolerate. It could be lateness, avoidance of tough conversations, or even gossip. The interplay of these elements within your church constitutes your culture. Habits are repetitive, and so the features of your culture you reiterate and encourage will be the ones deemed acceptable.
Even silence contributes to culture. For instance, you may be preaching about unity and trust, but if the leadership style appears passive-aggressive, team members will take notice and perceive this as the norm.
Building a Healthy Staff Culture with Integrity
"Culture isn't crafted. It's observed." To build a healthy staff culture, match your actual day-to-day activities against the values published on your website, on your walls, or in your handbook. If there's a mismatch, name it, and take steps to realign your behaviour with your values.
The road to a healthy staff culture is paved with ongoing evaluations and improvements. Maintaining such culture isn't a one-off event; it's a decision that leadership makes every single day. The good news is, if your culture isn't what you wish, you can start building a better one right now.
Dive deeper into the nuances of leading with culture in today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode. Uncover practical ways to ensure your church values align perfectly with your actions, creating an environment that fosters growth, unity, and positivity. Remember, whether you mean to or not, you're always nurturing your culture. Why not make it the best it can be?
