--- title: "Your \"Open Door Policy\" Is Not Actually Developing Your Staff (And What to Do About It)" description: Your open door policy feels pastoral, but it's not the same as coaching. Here's why church staff need scheduled one-on-ones, not hallway check-ins. image: https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_214.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/your-open-door-policy-is-not-actually-developing-your-staff-and-what-to-do-about-it#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/) # Your "Open Door Policy" Is Not Actually Developing Your Staff (And What to Do About It) Your open door policy feels pastoral, but it's not the same as coaching. Here's why church staff need scheduled one-on-ones, not hallway check-ins. ![](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_214.png) They asked for twenty minutes of your time. Three weeks ago. You said what you always say: "My door's always open. Just grab me." 🎧 Listen to this episode: So they hovered on Tuesday, but you were on a call. They tried again on Thursday, but you were already walking to a meeting. Then on Friday, you passed them in the hallway. "How are you?" you asked. "Fine," they said. And you kept walking. You think you offered coaching. They still don't have that meeting they asked for weeks ago. Sound familiar? If you're a church leader who prides yourself on being approachable, this might sting a little. But stay with me—because the very thing you think is making you accessible might actually be keeping your staff at arm's length. ## The Open Door Is Not the Meeting Let's be honest: you say it all the time. In the interview. In staff meetings. "My door is always open." And you mean it. You're not the pastor hiding behind a closed door and a guarded gate. You genuinely want to be available. But here's the problem: **you also never put them on the calendar.** So the kids director waits for a gap in your schedule that never comes. The worship pastor edits himself down to a hallway sentence. The office manager saves the real conversation for a day when you're already late for something else. They don't need permission to knock. They need a time you won't steal away from them. > "Moses' father-in-law replied, 'What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.'" — Exodus 18:17-18 (NIV) ## "How Are You?" Is Not Staff Development You passed them by the copier. You asked how they were. They said fine. You said good. **That is not a one-on-one. That is weather talk.** A real one-on-one has a start time and an end time. It has a question they cannot answer while holding a stack of bulletins or walking down the hallway: - How is the role actually landing for you? - What's stuck right now? - Where do you need me most? - What win can we celebrate together? You cannot ask those questions in a doorway. They cannot answer them while you're already moving toward your next thing. The doorway is where they protect you from the real thing. It's where they decide you're too busy for what's actually going on. ![Episode visual summary](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/whiteboards/whiteboard_214.png) ## I Know Why the Open Door Felt Like Enough Listen—I know your heart. You weren't hiding. You were trying not to be the boss behind a closed door and locked schedule. Open felt kind. Open felt pastoral. And that's decent. It really is. But it's also how you keep coaching off the calendar while still telling yourself you're developing people. **Here's the truth bomb: Approachable is not the same as available.** Available is a time with their name on it. Available is Tuesday at 2:00 PM, protected the way you protect the elders meeting. You can still keep the door open. Absolutely. Be warm. Be welcoming. Wave when they walk by. You just cannot keep using it as your entire coaching plan. ### Consider This: A hallway "yes" is not a meeting. The person who never grabs you is not fine. They learned the door is open and the clock is not. ## The Open Door Is Actually Protecting You Here's the uncomfortable part: the open door policy is doing a job. Just not the one you think. It protects you from putting their name on Tuesday at 2:00 PM. It puts the work back on them: - They have to catch you - They have to read your face - They have to decide if this is the right moment - They have to weigh whether their issue is "important enough" If they guess wrong, they feel like they're interrupting. If they wait, they feel neglected. Either way, you stay in control of the clock. That's kind to you. It's hard on them. **And here's the kicker:** The staffer who needs the one-on-one most will almost never "just grab you." They will keep saying "fine" in the hallway, week after week, until the real issue becomes a crisis or they quietly start looking for another church. > "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." — 2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV) ## Put a Name on the Week So here's what I want you to do this week. Not next month. Not when things slow down. This week. **Pick one person.** Not "anyone who needs it." A name. Someone specific who's been trying to get on your calendar or who keeps saying "fine" but you know they're not. Put thirty minutes on the calendar. Give it a start time *and* an end time. Protect that end time the way you protect the elders meeting or the budget review. ### When You Sit Down: - No "real quick while you stand"—actually sit down - Ask the question they cannot answer in a doorway - Then stop talking long enough to actually hear the answer - Listen to their questions before you rush to fix or advise - End on time (this builds trust for next time) If you will not calendar it, you've already named the plan: They will keep hovering. You will keep walking by. You will both call it an open door. And nothing real will get done. ### Your Action Steps This Week: ☐ **Choose one specific staff member** who needs a real one-on-one ☐ **Schedule 30 minutes** on both your calendars with a clear start and end time ☐ **Protect that time** like you would a board meeting or counseling appointment ☐ **Prepare one open-ended question** like "How is the role landing for you?" or "What's one thing that's stuck right now?" ☐ **End on time** to build trust and show you can manage your calendar ## The Bottom Line **An open door is not a one-on-one. If their name is not on the calendar, you are not coaching them.** You're saying hi. You're being friendly. You're having weather talk. But you're not developing leaders. You're not discipling your staff. You're not creating the space they need to bring you what's real. I know this feels like I'm asking you to add another meeting to a week that's already overflowing. But I'm actually asking you to stop calling the hallway a coaching plan. I'm asking you to be honest about what's really happening—and then to do the one thing that will actually help your staff feel led, not just tolerated. This week, put one name on your calendar. Give them thirty minutes. Keep the end time. And watch what happens when your staff realizes your availability isn't just a nice idea—it's a commitment with their name on it. ### Let's Keep the Conversation Going I'd love to hear how this lands for you. Is this a challenge you're facing? Have you found a rhythm that works? Hit reply and let me know. [Email Your Thoughts](mailto:podcast@chemistrystaffing.com) This post is based on Episode 723 of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. Todd Rhoades is co-founder of Chemistry Staffing and has spent decades helping churches build healthy, effective teams. He brings a pastor's heart with a practitioner's wisdom—calling church leaders higher while keeping it real about the challenges of ministry. ### [![Todd Rhoades](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) Todd Rhoades](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/author/todd-rhoades) Todd has invested over 30 years in serving churches, having served as a worship pastor for over 15 years, a church elder for more than a decade, and in various ministry leadership roles in both the business and non-profit sectors. As the original founder and developer of ChurchStaffing.com, Todd fundamentally changed the way thousands of churches search for pastors and staff on the internet. Todd is a graduate of Cedarville University, and lives in Bryan, OH with his wife, Dawn. [![Facebook Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/toddrhoades3) [![Twitter Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/toddrhoades) [![Linkedin Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddrhoades/) [![Website Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/web.svg)](http://chemistrystaffing.com/todd-rhoades) ## Latest Resources Browse Articles ![Your ](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_214.png) #### Your "Open Door Policy" Is Not Actually Developing Your Staff (And What to Do About It) Your open door policy feels pastoral, but it's not the same as coaching. Here's why church staff need scheduled one-on-ones, not hallway ch... ![Your ](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades October 14, 2026 ![Apply Now! Assistant Pastor in Menno, SD](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Salem%20Reformed%20-%20Assistant%20Blog.jpg) #### Apply Now! Assistant Pastor in Menno, SD Salem Reformed Church in Menno, South Dakota, is seeking an Assistant Pastor to join their growing, biblically faithful congregation. ![Salem Reformed Church](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Caleb%20Headshot2024%20Square.jpg) ###### Caleb Smith October 13, 2026 [Staff Search](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/tag/staff-search) ![Stop Holding Staff Meetings After Service (And What to Do Instead)](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_213.png) #### Stop Holding Staff Meetings After Service (And What to Do Instead) Are you calling impromptu staff meetings after Sunday services? Here's why that "quick 15-minute huddle" is damaging your team—and what to ... ![Stop Holding Staff Meetings After Service (And What to Do Instead)](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades October 13, 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. Eget phasellus ideirs. ###### Menu [Home 1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/home/1) [Home 2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/home/2) [Home 3](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/home/3) [About 1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/about/1) [About 2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/about/2) [Contact 1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/contact/1) [Contact 2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/contact/2) [View More](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) ###### Company [Team v1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/team/1) [Team v2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/team/2) [Team Member](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/team-member) [Pricing 1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/pricing/1) [Pricing 2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/pricing/2) [View More](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) ###### Resources [Blog v1 cms](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/blog) [Blog v2 cms](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/blog) [Blog Post 1 cms](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/blog/elements-blog-2-0-0-1-1) [Blog Post 2 cms](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/blog/elements-blog-2-0-0-1-1) [Case Studies](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/case-studies) [Case Study](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/case-study) [View More](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) ###### Landing Pages [Form v1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/form-landing-page/1) [Form v2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/form-landing-page/2) [Simple Form](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/simple-form-landing-page) [Full Screen Video](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/full-screen-video-landing-page) [eBook v1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/ebook-landing-page/1) [eBook v2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/ebook-landing-page/2) [Webinar](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/webinar-landing-page) [Conference](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/conference-landing-page) [Schedule a Demo](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/schedule-a-demo-landing-page) [View More](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) [![Visit facebook](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/) [![Visit twitter](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com) [![Visit instagram](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/instagram.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/) [![Visit linkedin](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/linkedin.svg)](http://www.linkedin.com/) [![Visit youtube](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/youtube.svg)](https://youtube.com) [![Visit telegram](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/telegram.svg)](https://telegram.org) [![Visit whatsapp](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/whatsapp.svg)](https://whatsapp.com) Copyright 2026 | Chemistry Staffing