This is the second in a series of articles where I make questionable lists of things that people in churches need to know. Although this is getting a it rarer all the time, some churches do have more than one minister on the staff, and these “non-senior” ministers need some love too, from time to time. Even if you are in a situation where you are the only pastor, there will still be committed people who are deeply invested in their personal ministry through your congregation, whether they are paid or not, so please bear in mind that this is not just a list for “professionals:” So here are, generally speaking, things staff members wish every pastor knew:

1. They are ministers, too. Many staff persons go to seminary, get degrees, and all that other stuff. Many of them are ordained, too. They have their own perspectives, interests, and skills. While their ministry might not be the same as yours, it is still ministry that needs to be supported.

2. They have a life outside the church. As bad as it might sound, staff members often breed. Their kids need the same attention and care that they are trying to give to other people's kids. They have spouses, hobbies, and a whole host of other interests, including eating and paying bills. If you forget that, you risk burning out a minister, and they're already in short supply.

3. They deserve not to be demeaned in public. Honesty is very important on a church staff. Sometimes staff members make mistakes, need guidance, or just annoy you. Unless you catch them with a bloody axe and a pile of bodies, never call them down in public. It breaks morale, erodes the respect of the congregation, and generally ruins any chance you have of working with them. Take them into your office and you can cuss them as roundly as you want (preferably while giving them the chance to reciprocate). Just as a good minister to young people knows not to humiliate them by chewing them out in public, you too must learn this lesson.

4. They want a chance to provide input. Yes you're the senior pastor, but it is not your church. It belongs to the members, and they expect associate staff to do a job. You should respect that choice and allow that person a chance to provide feedback and input on how the job is done, as well as other jobs.

5. People sometimes make their jobs hard, too. It is hard to be a pastor. Society is becoming ever more antagonistic to the profession and its practitioners. You are not the only one on your staff who faces problems in dealing with people, and you need to be sympathetic to your fellow-travelers.

6. They're not all out to get your job. Some pastors think that the staff members are just using their positions as stepping stones for a senior pastorate of their own someday, preferably theirs. While this happens, if you worry about it you can create the behavior you are trying to avoid. If you spend your time looking over your shoulder to see what some staff member is doing behind your back, you are going to stumble. Don't be that guy (and it's usually a man who thinks on those terms).

7. Primus Inter Pares. Before they got all political, the earliest church officials had a concept that the Patriarch of Rome was first among equals with patriarchs at Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Constantinople. That concept may be well over a thousand years old, but it usually works great in local churches these days, too If you can help your staff see you as first among equals, you might pave the way for them, and you, to be successful.

8. They should be allowed to make mistakes. Human beings make mistakes. Even you might have made a mistake once, albeit a long time ago. Even Jesus does not make perfection a standard that we can all be expected to uphold. We have grace for that reason. Give your staff a little grace when they need it. They can not only learn from it, but also become more grace-filled people.

9. They need a pastor. The people who have their head down, pushing the cart, are least likely to see where it is going or to take advantage of the journey. It is easy to get isolated on a church staff and to have an experience of church as work, rather than worship and service. If you are not going out of your way to be a pastor to everyone in the church, including the rest of the staff, you are both missing an opportunity and failing in your duty.

I might have another list in awhile. What would you like to add to this one?

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