Importance of Clarity in Church Staffing

Making a new hire for your church staff is no small task. One of the most common and costly errors we make is seeking to fill a role before we have truly defined it. Hiring without clarity is analogous to constructing a house without blueprints; it may be feasible, but you're likely to regret it. Unraveling and addressing the issue of clarity in hiring is today's focus.

The Dire Consequences of Rushing Into Hires

Why do we rush into hires? The reasons vary from quickly filling a gap when someone leaves suddenly, internal pressure to keep ministry going, or expectations from the team or elders. However, rushing to hire without clarifying the job description and success metrics nearly always leads to confusion, misalignment, misconduct, and often, another hire within the first 18 months. This brings about hidden costs in unclear roles and leads to confusion among the staff and the new hire which potentially harms the overall church environment.

Gaining Clarity Before Making the Hire

How, then, do you gain clarity before making the hire? Start by asking yourself, "What are the three most important things this role needs to accomplish in the first year?" Understand what you want them to accomplish and create a results-focused job description, not just a task list. Involve multiple leaders in refining and affirming these expectations. Moreover, ensure you can afford the hire and that the rest of your team is on board.

Key Questions to Answer Before Posting A Job

Keeping these questions in mind before posting a job ensures the hire aligns with the church's overall vision:

• Can an outsider understand what this role is and why it matters?
• Can we afford this hire?
• Is the entire team aligned with the responsibilities and tasks of this new role?

Only then should you post the job description to look for suitable candidates.

The Bottom Line

"Fuzzy hiring" almost guarantees hiring frustrated people. Clarity in the hiring process isn't just optional, it's a form of effective leadership. Assess and reflect upon your recent hires, and if they have not lasted longer than 18 months, it might be because you've been hiring with "fuzzy" details.

Avoid the trap of hiring without clarity and understand the role and expectations associated with it. If you're interested in learning more about gaining clarity in your hiring process, listen to today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode.