On a regular basis at Sun Valley Community Church (the church I have the honor of serving at) we get the staff together from all three campuses for leadership development and training. This past week one of our Lead Pastors, Chad Moore, shared about the different games that churches play. I thought I’d share with you some of the key take-aways and learnings. Do you know what game your church is playing? Follow this link to learn more about the “4 Stages of a Church Staff Team.”
“When the organization changes, there are changes within the organization.”
1. Never forget, growth changes everything
- A small church, mid-sized church, and large church are completely different animals.
- There is a big difference between an organizational shift and a cultural shift…and often times it’s hard to see the difference.
- Leaders who are leading through significant growth and change are typically accused of being unloving, unkind, or uncaring.
2. 4 Games that Churches Play
Game #1: The Track Star The track star performs alone. They may train with others and their score may affect an overall team win, but they operate by themselves. This is the solo pastor.
Game #2: Golfing Buddies The primary value is the relational feel of the team. The score doesn’t matter. High performers and low performers can still play the same game together and have fun.
Game #3: The Basketball Team Basketball is a team sport not a friendship sport. It requires working together, trusting one another and sharing the ball.
Game #4: The Football Team Football can be a dangerous game if you think you’re still playing track, golf, or basketball. In the game of football there are highly specialized roles and teamwork is essential.
3. The Two Biggest Challenges of Game Change
- Relational overload: You know that the game has changed when you find yourself spending a lot of time managing relationships.
- Increased miscommunication: Exponential growth increases complexity.
4. How do You when know You’re Stuck and the Game needs to Change?
- You’re focused on the past instead of the future (fear instead of faith)
- You’re continually hanging around the 19th hole with the same people (same staff / same volunteers)
- You tend to value the experience more than the results (protection instead of progress)
- You tend to value your personal role more than the mission (instead of asking what’s best for the church I ask what’s best for me)
Photo Credit: Mariano Kamp via Compfight cc
Posted in Leadership
