When Your Church Should NOT Hire Staff

Seven Times Your Church Should Not Hire Staff

Managing, hiring and even firing staff can be a significant challenge for any church leader. In this blog post, we'll look at seven situations where your church should pause before hiring new staff, even when the need might seem obvious.

1. Don't Replace Volunteers with Paid Staff

The first point to consider is not to hire when it takes away the ministry from laity and volunteers. While bringing in new staff might help increase the number of volunteers, remember that volunteers should be the backbone of your ministry. Don't be tempted to replace them with hired hands just for the sake of efficiency.

2. Don't Just Replace Staff Because That's How It's Always Been Done

Second, don't hire just to keep doing what you've always done. If a staff member resigns, it may not be necessary to fill their position if your church has undergone changes or grown in new directions during their tenure.

3. Don't Hire When It's Not Financially Feasible

Third, don't ignore your church's financial realities. Don't hire someone without considering whether it's a smart financial decision. Ensure you have sufficient resources to support the new staff for a considerable period without undue strain on the church's finances.

4. Beware of Hiring to Fulfill Group Agendas

Fourth, beware of pressure to hire from particular groups within the church who have their agendas. Hiring in response to such pressures can merely fan existing disputes instead of working toward unity.

5. Don't Hire Just to Give a Friend a Job

Fifth, hiring a friend just because they need a job is not a good reason. While friends can make great staff members, the blurring of professional boundaries can often lead to challenges.

6. Don't Copy Another Church's Hiring Strategy

Sixth, resist the temptation to copy another church's hiring strategy just because it worked for them. Focus on your church's unique needs and hire accordingly.

7. Deal with Current Staff Issues Before Hiring New Ones

Lastly, address any current staff issues before hiring new ones. Hiring new staff when there's unresolved conflict or poor performance among existing staff adds to the problem rather than solving it.

Church staff hiring should be approached with wisdom and careful thought. Ensure the decision aligns with the church's mission and promotes unity and growth. For more insights on church staff hiring, tune into today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode. As leaders, it's paramount to make hiring decisions that move your church forward in unity and strength.