Overcoming the Overfunctioning Challenge in Church Staff
Often, the most productive teams can also be the most unhealthy, particularly when overfunctioning is at play. When church staffs take on responsibilities they shouldn't bear, it creates a ripple effect of dependence, burnout, and imbalance. Surprisingly, the hardest working individuals might even be causing the most harm.
Spotting the Signs of Overfunctioning
Overfunctioning is when individuals take on responsibilities that rightfully belong to others. On the surface, this appears helpful, but in the long run, it fosters an unhealthy culture leading to burnout, resentment, and a bottlenecked system. Overfunctioning can manifest in various forms, such as:
- Doing ministry tasks instead of equipping volunteers
- Making every decision based on speed
- Shouldering the emotional burden of everyone else's issues
- Rescuing consistently underperforming staff members
The Cost of Constant Overfunctioning
Overfunctioning not only leads to the burnout of church staff but also the underdevelopment of emerging leaders. It is particularly prevalent in ministry leaders, as they often feel the need to satisfy everyone's needs and avoid letting others down. The repercussion is that when you overfunction, you under-empower, perpetuating a cycle of dependence and entitlement.
Breaking the Overfunctioning Cycle
Breaking out of overfunctioning starts with introspection. Ask yourself what activities someone else should own. Audit your responsibilities and motives. Are you acting out of guilt, fear, or a need for control? Once you have identified the issues, start transferring ownership.
Empower your team to learn, grow, and even fail – it's okay if they don't do things exactly as you would. Build accountability based on ownership rather than just outcomes. Remember, overfunctioning often stems from a systems problem, not just a personal one.
The Bottom Line
Undoubtedly, ministry is heavy, and when we unnecessarily shoulder that weight, we rob others of the opportunity to lead and grow. The challenge is to strike a balance that ensures holistic growth and maintains a healthy church staff.
For more insight into how to navigate the tricky topic of overfunctioning within a church staff, join us for today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode, where we discuss ways to foster a healthier, more empowering church culture.
