Key #1—Love each other! This is the most critical aspect of a healthy church staff. Each staff member must genuinely love those they serve with. I believe with all my heart this begins with the senior pastor. The senior pastor sets the pace and must lead by example. I do not believe there is anything worse for a church staff than an unloving pastor. The senior pastor needs to remember that he pastors the staff, too. Too often, senior pastors view staff as hired hands, or just employees, and forget that they have been called by God to shepherd those they serve with. A staff that does not love each other will not be blessed by God. After all, Jesus said that the world will know us by our love one for another; likewise, I believe church members will know their church staff by their love, or lack thereof, for one another.

Key #2—Pray with and for each other! The depth of a church staff will largely be determined by how and how much they pray together. A staff should pray together consistently and fervently. It should not be uncommon for a staff to get on their knees together, or to pray in each other’s offices as needs and concerns arise, or just to lift a brother/sister in Christ up to the Lord. A healthy staff will make prayer a high priority and will be richly blessed by being a staff that labors together in prayer.

Key #3—Encourage each other! One of my staff members likes to ask this, “How do you know if someone needs encouragement?” Then he answers, “If they’re breathing.” In other words, as long as someone is drawing breath, they need others to breathe words of life into them. Encouragement is one of the absolute most important things a staff can do for each other. EDIFY, EDIFY, EDIFY! Again, this starts with the senior pastor. The senior pastor needs to set the pace and ought to be the most edifying person on staff. It is so easy to be critical and negative with each other, in fact, Satan thrives where negativity reigns . . . BUT . . . where humility and encouragement reign, the Holy Spirit is there and is there in power. Encouragement is the most unifying element of a healthy staff. You can never encourage too much . . . never forget that!

Key #4—Respect and trust each other! Staff members need to respect each other and trust each other to do the ministry God has called them to do. As a pastor, I recognize that those I serve with have been called by God to do their ministry, and I expect them to do what they do with excellence and for the glory of God! I respect and trust my staff. They are the experts in their area of service and they do not need me micro-managing their every action. It is important to pray together, dream together, plan together, etc . . . but staff members do not need to tell each other how to do their ministry. When you respect and trust each other, it opens the door for honest conversation about ministry, where healthy discussion can happen as each minister learns from one another and encourages them in what they do.

Key #5—Support each other! There should be no territorialism among the staff. Yes, each staff member is responsible for their “area of ministry” so to speak, but there should a desire to help other staff members be successful in what they do. Each staff member needs to be a “team player,” and ready to help as needed and as they can. Church staff should know what is going on in other areas of ministry for several reasons: (1) To pray; (2) it shows the staff communicates with each other; (3) it allows them to help answer questions people may have and direct them appropriately; (4) it affords them the opportunity to help as they can; and (5) it reveals a love and concern for another staff member’s area of ministry.

Key #6—Fellowship with each other! Staff members should get together and get together often. Celebrate birthdays, holidays, etc. together. A healthy staff should not just see each other during ministry hours and events. Healthy staffs enjoy being together and fellowshipping with one another. Fellowship must be a priority. A staff that fellowships together will be unified and that unity will be evident to the church body at large.

Key #7—Laugh and cry with each other! The church staff needs to be the absolute most enjoyable group to be with. A healthy church staff will laugh together and laugh together often. When you get together for your fellowships, do not just sit around and talk. Play games and do other fun things that will make unifying memories and traditions. Staff members should not dread getting together, but rather should look forward to it as a highlight. Staff members should also learn to cry together. There should a deep level of love and trust with each other. When a staff member is burdened, other staff members should help them carry their load. Staff members need to know what is going on in other staff member’s lives so they can pray, minister and encourage. I love that the staff I serve with can be laughing hysterically one minute and on our knees weeping together in prayer the next. A healthy staff will rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep!

Key #8—Listen to and learn from each other! Everyone who understands communication realizes that one of the most important aspects of communicating is listening. In fact, the best communicators are often the best listeners. Good personal communicators listen, not to formulate a response, but to understand where the other person is coming. When staff members listen to each other, it shows respect, trust, and humility and that they value what others have to say. A healthy staff will long to hear what others have to say, and while they may not always agree, they should welcome other’s thoughts and opinions.

Key #9—Challenge each other! Healthy staff will know how to push each other to be and do their best. There is a fine line that has to be walked here, but is one that is essential in order to be the most effective staff you can be. Know this, challenge or constructive criticism will never be well received if a relationship of respect and trust does not exist. In fact, the reason “territories” develop among staff is because there is no depth to their relationship, therefore leaving no room for healthy criticism and challenge. We all need to recognize that not every idea is a good idea, no matter how great it may seem to us, and we need other staff members to have the freedom to tell us when our idea just flat stinks. Healthy staff members will not wear their feelings on their shoulders and will welcome . . . almost demand . . . someone to challenge them and help them be and do their best. A staff that does not have the freedom to be honest with each other will limit their effectiveness for the Kingdom, because no man is an island and together we can do more!

Key #10—Minister to and with each other! Healthy staff members will minister together and minister well together. Make visits together, volunteer and serve in each other’s ministries when you can, write a note of encouragement to another staff member, be creative in how you serve each other . . . but the bottom line is, minister to and with each other! Every church staff member knows that ministry is cumbersome and unpredictable, and who knows how to minister better to staff than staff members themselves? Ministering to each other is the ultimate way to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

I know there are other keys to effective and healthy church staffs, but these are 10 that we practice in our staff and have benefited from greatly. Before you read the next great leadership book as a staff, make sure you are doing these 10 things first and foremost. Leadership books, workshops, etc., are all great, but do not get away from the simple things that will make a significant difference in your staff. I believe these 10 things, while simple, when applied, truly make the church staff unified, strong and incredibly effective for the Kingdom of God.

Jeremy Freeman is senior pastor of Newcastle, First.

Related posts:

1. Guest Editorial: The CP and church plants
2. Guest Editorial: Who pastors the pastor?
3. Guest editorial: From beginning to end: Being a people of life

http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/09/20/the-subtle-body-should-christians-practice-yoga/

and you can read what’s happened since, here:

http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/10/07/yahoo-yoga-and-yours-truly/

It is very interesting stuff.  I, for one, am thankful for Dr. Mohler and the way he has spoken so clearly and biblically on this issue.  I long for the day when people will simply let the Bible be their guide.

Related posts:

1. The End of Christianity
2. On “cool” Christianity
3. Christianity in the Cubicle

http://www.russellmoore.com/2010/08/17/why-conservative-evangelicals-should-thank-god-for-clark-pinnock/

http://toddpruitt.blogspot.com/2010/08/clark-pinnock-modern-parable.html

Related posts:

1. A Christian Response to the Normalization of Homosexuality?
2. My Cyber Move
3. Thoughts on Voting Biblically

http://toddpruitt.blogspot.com/2010/08/christian-response-to-normilization-of.html

Related posts:

1. Thoughts on Clark Pinnock
2. My Cyber Move
3. A Helpful Overview of the SBC…Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow!

MacArthur ESV Study Bible from Crossway on Vimeo.

Related posts:

1. Panel discussion from some great men of God!
2. Albert Mohler is reading
3. Lyrical Theology and Stylistic Preference

John MacArthur’s Testimony from Grace Community Church on Vimeo.

Related posts:

1. Panel discussion from some great men of God!
2. Johnny Hunt: GCR vision and the Cooperative Program
3. Great Commission Taskforce Report

As I think about that question, I am mindful of how some might answers it.  For instance, a great church might be classified by some as a church that has a large attendance, or one that has multiple locations; some might say a great church is one that has something for everyone, a place where there is no shortage of ministries; others might say a great church has the best music, or relevant teaching; etc.  Without question, a great church may have some of those things mentioned above, but is that what makes a church truly great?  I think the best answer we have is the example set forth by the Thessalonian Church in God’s Word.  In Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, we have an amazing example of a church that was not good; it was great!  But what was it that made them great?  Was it their buildings?  Their music?  Their staff?  Their programs?  NO!  It was something much more.  The Thessalonian Church was committed to the right things and Paul declared that they were a church that was truly making a difference for the glory of God.  As I have studied 1 Thessalonians, I have come across a few things that I believe classify them as a truly great church.  As you read these items, I have also posed a few questions every church should ask and answer before they declare their church to be great.

HIGH VIEW OF SCRIPTURE
My favorite verse in the Thessalonian letters is 1 Thessalonians 2:13.  Paul says, “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the Word of God, which is at work in you believers.”  At the heart of the Thessalonian Church was their exposure to and receptivity of the Word of God!  Without question, this was a truly signifying mark of their greatness.  First, the Apostles actually gave them the Word of God and secondly, they received what they were given as God’s Word.  So, the first mark of a great church is one that is actually given the Scripture and then receives that Scripture as God’s Word.  The Thessalonian Church heard the Word and received the Word…and what was the result?  The Word was at work in the believers, just like Hebrews 4:12 says.

QUESTIONS:  Is your church consistently and faithfully being exposed to the fullness of the Word of God and is it received as God’s Word?  Is your church more centered on the opinions of man, or the truth of Scripture?  Is great value placed on the Word of God?

RADICAL COMMITMENT TO THE GOSPEL
In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul says, “Because our Gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”  He goes on to say in 1 Thessalonians 1:8, “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere…”  The Thessalonians received the Gospel, were changed by it and then spread it everywhere they could!  A mark of a truly great church is one that has reckless abandon to the Gospel that has changed their life!  If a church is not gripped by the Gospel and compelled to do something with it, then that church is not a great church.  Great churches hear the Gospel, receive it and then take it to the world.  This is clearly seen in the Thessalonian Church.

QUESTIONS:  Is your church radically committed to the Gospel?  Is your church known for its passion for the Gospel and its commitment to spread it to the end of the earth?

WALK THAT MATCHES THE TALK
The Thessalonian Church did not just talk about their faith, they lived it!  They had a walk that matched their talk.  First, Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1:7, “So that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.”  An example of what you ask?  Well, there were many things, but I will mention two specifically:

1. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 says, “And you became imitators of us and the Lord, for you received the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”  The Thessalonians were an example of what it means to endure hardship.  They were an enduring church.  Paul mentioned their suffering on multiple occasions, but was also greatly encouraged by their willingness to endure.  The Thessalonians received the Gospel in the midst of great conflict and were persecuted for their faith; but they never gave up!  So, first, they were an example of what it means to persevere and endure hardship for their faith!
2. 1 Thessalonians 1:9 says, “For they themselves report…how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God…”  Not only were they an example of perseverance, they were also an example of true life change.  They did not live a conflicting Christian life.  They were “in” the world, but they were definitely not “of” the world.  There was a difference about their life!  They had been radically changed from the inside out and their walk matched their talk.  Paul went on to say in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, “We exhorted each of you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”  The Thessalonian believer’s walked in a manner worthy of the One who had called them into His Kingdom!

QUESTIONS:  Is your church a persevering church that is known for a high commitment to Christ no matter what the cost?  Is sacrifice and service visibly evident in the life of your church?  Is the testimony of your church one that clearly shows a people who are “in” the world, but not “of” the world?  Does your church have a walk that matches its talk?

LONGING FOR ‘MORE AND MORE’
In chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians, I love how Paul uses the phrase “excel still more,” or “do so more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1, 10).  In the context of the chapter, Paul is urging the Thessalonian Church not to settle for status quo, but to excel more and more in the things he had challenged them with.  For example, in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 Paul says, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor…for God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.”  In other words, Paul was saying, “Excel still more in holy living.”  One of the marks of a great church is that there is a desire for more and more of God and the things of God!  A great church does not see holiness as drudgery or duty, but rather as delight!  The Thessalonian Church was a holy church; one that was not satisfied with being just good, they wanted to be great, as they did so “more and more.” 

The second thing Paul urges them to excel more in is brotherly love!  Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:9, “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,” but Paul goes on in verse 10b to say, “But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more.”  In other words, “Excel still more” in your love for one another!  The mark of a truly great church is one that has true Christian love for others within the Body of Christ!  Jesus said that the world would know us by our love for one another!  A church that does not truly love one another is not a great church.  Unity should be the cry of the church.  Unity does not mean uniformity, but it does mean sacrifice and unconditional love (even for the difficult people J).  The Thessalonian Church was known for their love for one another and that made them a great church!

QUESTIONS:  Is your church known for its desire to “excel still more,” in the areas of holiness and Christian love?  Is holiness prized and valued in your church?  Is unity and Christian love evident in your church?  Is there an emphasis on putting others above yourself and is there visible evidence of sacrificial love for others?  In all of this, is there a longing and desire to do these things “more and more?”

LIVE IN LIGHTOF CHRIST’S RETURN
Perhaps the biggest theme in the Thessalonian letters is the emphasis on the return of the Christ.  Without question, the Thessalonian believers believed that Jesus was going to return at any moment, in fact, some of them thought they had already missed His return!  As great as the Thessalonian Church was, it was not perfect.  In fact, there is no perfect church.  As long as sin exists, there will not be a perfect church.  While the church in Thessalonica did many things right, they also had questions.  They wanted to know what happened to brothers and sisters in Christ who would die before the return of Christ.  They wanted to know about some of the details of Christ’s return and some of the judgments that were to come, and Paul addresses many things in these two short letters.  What is not to miss in all of this though, is the fact that the Thessalonian believer’s lived as though the Lord could return at any moment; they truly believed His return was imminent!  In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Paul says, “Remembering before our God and Father…your steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  He went on to say in 1:10, “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”  The Thessalonians knew that the Lord was coming back and they lived like it could happen at any moment.  A great church will live, plan and act like that as well.  Great churches do not operate as though they have all the time in the world to get things done!  Great churches function with great urgency, knowing that the Lord could return in the blink of an eye!

QUESTIONS:  Does your church operate with a great sense of urgency regarding the things of God?  Is the planning, programming and budget of your church designed with an eternal perspective in mind?  Is the teaching and preaching of your church helping you focus on eternal things and prioritizing your life in light of Christ’s return?

Well, there you have it.  These are just five quick insights I have gained from Thessalonians and I hope you will use them to evaluate whether your church is “good” or “great”.  There are many other insights I could have mentioned from the Thessalonian letters, but these are five that stood out most to me and ones that consistently challenge me to be the kind of pastor God would have me to be.  We must always remember that God’s view of greatness is often different from ours and we need to be quick to measure our view of greatness against the truth of God’s Word.  My prayer is that more and more churches would emerge as truly “great”, as they seek to align themselves with the biblical teaching of what a great church truly looks like.

Related posts:

1. 10 Reasons Why You Should Love Your Church!!!
2. Three great questions about church planting in Oklahoma
3. PERSPECTIVE: Read the Bible

Keynote Panel Questions and Answers from Resolved on Vimeo.

Related posts:

1. A Panel Discussion Concerning Brian McLaren’s New Book
2. NPR covers Brian McLaren and the SBTS Panel
3. Preaching and Being Captured by the Passage

Related posts:

1. Preach and extend
2. Churches: Turn Up the Sound (part 1)
3. Faithful Preaching: Podcast with Dr. Tony Merida

With that being said, here is a prayer from my heart for the SBC’s annual meeting next week.  Will you join me in making this your prayer too?

Heavenly Father,

You alone are worthy of all praise and glory!  May Your people set You at the head of all things and may You be rightfully worshipped as You alone deserve!  You are God and there is no other and our deepest desire is to make Your name and glory great in all nations, among all peoples!

Father forgive us for being selfish and thinking only of ourselves!  Forgive us for trying to make our name great and our plans accomplished!  We desire for Your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven!  We long for Your power and presence to be felt and seen in all we say and do!  As the Psalmist says, “You are great and greatly to be praised”…and may You be made much of in our lives and our decisions this coming week.

As we approach this important week in the life of our denomination, I ask for a spirit of humility and wisdom to be present throughout the convention.  May our greatest desire be to be yielded to the Spirit and to follow His leadership in all things.  May brokenness over sin and lostness be present and may the cry of our heart be for the Gospel to be embraced and proclaimed in the most magnificent and mighty of all ways.  Father, let Your people bow before You in surrender and may Your Gospel penetrate our hearts in the deepest way possible.  May our heart, mind and will be set on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, and may the fruit of the Spirit be evident in all we say and do!

Heavenly Father, we desperately need You to take control of our lives and this coming convention.  May nothing transpire that is not of You!  May sacrifice and selflessness be evident as we crucify the flesh and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit…and when we leave next week, may the results of what we do leave a sweet taste of the Spirit’s work in our lives, churches, associations, conventions and denomination as a whole!  Father, we give You our plans…we give You our convention…we give You our lives, and we humbly ask for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit to be evident in what takes place in Orlando next week…and may You, above all things, receive the honor and glory that is due Your name. 

Heavenly Father, the deepest desire we could have for our convention is that You would be pleased with what we do…therefore, we set You at the center and anticipate great and mighty things to come from how You will lead us in the days ahead.  Be glorified oh Lord!

In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we ask these things.

Amen.

Related posts:

1. Annual meeting sessions to emphasize prayer
2. Prayer resonates at annual meeting
3. Annual Meeting Nov. 15-16 features IMB commissioning