--- title: The First Impression We Forget About description: The way we bring new staff members on our teams makes a big difference in how long they remain on our teams. image: https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20FREE%20DOWNLOAD-2.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/the-first-impression-we-forget-about#main-content) [![cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp?width=342&height=95&name=cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp "cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95")](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) - [How We Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/) - [How We Help Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [How We Help Churches](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/church/) - [Our Team](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/team/) - [Our Mission & Strategy](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/) - [Churches](https://chemistrystaffing.com/church) - [Hire New Staff](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/2021-churches-new-staff-hiring/) - [Free 30-Minute Church Consult](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Chemistry Solutions – You Don’t Have to Do Ministry Alone](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/solutions/) - [Final Fit Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/final-fit-assessment/) - [Senior Pastor Succession](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/succession/) - [Job Seekers](https://chemistrystaffing.com/candidate) - [Add My Resume / Profile](https://chemistry.fyi/kwq) - [Current Openings](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs) - [Free Resume Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/free-resume-self-assessment/) - [Step-by-Step Job Search](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/cjb) - [How Chemistry Can Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [Resources](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [Free Playbooks & Downloads](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/) - [Chemistry Blog](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) - [2024 Youth Pastor Compensation Survey](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/2024-yp-compensation-survey/) - [Contact Us](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate-contact-page/) - [Churches](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Find a Job](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs) - [My Church is Hiring](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) [Staff Search](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/tag/staff-search) # The First Impression We Forget About The way we bring new staff members on our teams makes a big difference in how long they remain on our teams. ![Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of FREE DOWNLOAD-2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20FREE%20DOWNLOAD-2.png) # How you welcome new teammates matters We instinctively know that first impressions are important. We know that the way we present ourselves on a first date, during a job interview, and the first time that someone visits our church is important... and is a leading factor in determining whether the relationship continues. It works the same way when we are looking to hire a new staff member at our church. When we are excited about someone, we are quick to respond to emails and phone calls, we make sure that they get the best experience possible when they come out for the candidate weekend, and we all celebrate when an offer is made and accepted. But what happens next? Several years ago, I remember walking into the office of a church for my first official day on the job. I didn't know that my first day coincided with my boss's day off and much of the staff seemed surprised to see me. I also remember walking into what was to be my new office, only to surprise the former occupant, who was just beginning to move their stuff. Needless to say, it wasn't a very warm welcome. One of the biggest mistakes that churches make when bringing a staff member on their team is to assume that the search is done when the offer is accepted. It is common to think that the goal of a search is make a hire... this is not the case. The true goal of a church's search process is to fully incorporate a new teammate into the life of the church. When we work with churches we encourage them to intentionally think through what happens after a hire is made. Savvy churches understand that job changes, moves, and saying good-bye to friends and co-workers is incredibly stressful, and proactively plan for this. They make sure that their new teammate feels as though they were expected, cared for, and informed through this season. To help churches think through how to better care for new teammates in the midst of this transition, we've put together *Chemistry Staffing's Onboarding Playbook*. This guide will help you think through your onboarding processes and give you a customizable checklist to use when someone joins your team. We'd love for you to use this next time someone joins your team, and let us know what you think.   [![Download Chemistry's Onboarding Playbook now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5045578/e65291ba-63f2-44ea-96dc-086ade032146.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5045578/e65291ba-63f2-44ea-96dc-086ade032146)   ![matt](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/matt.png?width=124&name=matt.png)   P.S. Are you looking to find someone to use the *Onboarding Playbook* with? I'd love to help you find your next staff member. [Click here to have a conversation](https://meetings.hubspot.com/matt-steen). ### [![Matt Steen](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/IMG_4588.jpg) Matt Steen](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/author/matt-steen) Matt has served the local church for over two decades as a youth pastor, church planter, and executive pastor. Originally from Baltimore, Matt currently lives in Orlando, with his wife Theresa, and has a B.S. in Youth Ministry from Nyack College and an M.Div. and MBA from Baylor University. Certified as an Urban Church Planter Coach by Redeemer City to City and as a StratOp facilitator by the Paterson Center, Matt has made a career of helping churches thrive through intentionality, clarity, and creating healthy cultures. He is convinced that a healthy church is led by a healthy team with great chemistry, and loves partnering with Chemistry’s churches to do great things for the Kingdom. [![Facebook Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/snoop4jc) [![Twitter Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/matt_steen) [![Linkedin Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsteen/) ## Latest Resources Browse Articles ![What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_158.png) #### What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis Church decline isn't what you think. Discover what's really threatening the church today vs. 1776 and the 1900s—and why low numbers aren't ... ![What's Actually Killing Your Church? 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Learn why competency should trump credentials in your ministry staff se... ![Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades July 06, 2026 [![Elements Logo](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/logos/logo.svg "Elements Logo")](http://chemistrystaffing.com) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturor adipiscing elit. Tincidunt donec vulputate ipsum erat urna auctor. 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