The Pros and Cons of Hiring Internally for Your Church Staff

Making the right hiring choices for your church sustains its activities and ensures church growth. Though hiring internally might seem like a tempting proposition, it's not always the best move.

Advantages of Hiring Internally

When considering hiring from within your congregation, several distinct benefits need to be considered.

1. Cultural Fit: Internal hires already understand your church's values, traditions, and quirks. The cultural fit might already be excellent, meaning they might require less onboarding than an external candidate.
2. Buy-In: A member of your church is already invested in your mission and vision. As they're likely serving as volunteers, the feeling of attachment they have with your mission adds to their commitment.
3. Loyalty and Commitment: Hiring internally can inspire a higher level of loyalty and commitment, leading to a longer tenure and less turnover.
4. Cost-Effective: Internal hires may require less training and could be willing to accept lower salaries initially. There's also no need for relocation costs.

Drawbacks of Hiring Internally

While hiring internally can deliver many benefits, potential pitfalls exist:

1. Limited Candidate Pool: You might not have someone with the right skill set within your congregation for the position.
2. Bias and Favoritism: It could be challenging to evaluate internal candidates objectively. Added to this, the situation can lead to power dynamics that might create tension within your team.
3. Lacks Fresh Perspective: Hiring within the church may lead to a lack of new ideas or challenges to the status quo.
4. Potential Skill Gaps: Internal candidates may lack the formal education or experience required for the role.

Deciding on Internal Hires

When choosing to hire internally or externally, consider the specific skills necessary for the role, think about the willingness to delegate authority or support to this person, and weigh the long-term benefits and risks.

Importantly, ensure the bias or relationship does not cloud your judgment. Be ready to invest in training for the internal hire and make the best decision based on the role, candidate, and needs of your church.

In conclusion, hiring internally can be a great strategy for some situations, provided the candidate fits the role and the church's ministry. Ensuring this alignment fosters long-term success and growth for the church.

To gain deeper insights into the hiring process, listen to today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode. The episode explores the advantages and disadvantages of hiring internally, offering practical advice for church staffing process.