Staff Development

John Kenneth Galbraith was a noted economist in the early 1900s who was called upon by many dignitaries to help sort the economic markets. He wrote the following story in his autobiography about his housekeeper:

A growing church is always in transition. From building programs to classroom changes to staff adjustments to schedule flexes to responsibility changes to added ministries, a growing church must constantly prepare for the transitions that come with growth.

The first chapter of Acts gives the account of Christ’s ascension. This passage also details our orders as we await His return. In verse thirteen, we see the eleven names of the most powerful men in the Bible. They had just witnessed the ascension of the Lord. They had gathered in the upper room.

In order to most effectively serve the Lord and His church, a church staff must have certain qualities. The following are ten characteristics I emphasize to our staff so that we may continue to grow in the work of the Lord:

One area Independent Baptists are not lacking in is our full schedule of conferences and meetings. From coast to coast there are ample opportunities to attend meetings that will “re-charge your battery.”

The church at Antioch in Acts 13 sent out men who were called, qualified, and capable. They were not looking for somewhere to send someone to be “an encouragement” to them. They were not looking for a place of service elsewhere for those who could not or would not serve effectively in their own local church.

Every pastor wants his church to grow. Many pastors do not realize that they often hold the key to significant growth. We know that God ultimately blesses a church with numerical growth as He sees fit, but the pastor can unlock the door to usher in this growth if he is willing to pay the price.

What makes a great administrative assistant? Is it outstanding organizational skills? Is it judgment and strength as a gatekeeper? Is it a knack for anticipating and solving problems?

One of the most frustrating things to watch is a sports team in which one individual wants to be the star—even at the expense of the team’s success.

My prize possession as a boy was a Sting-Ray bicycle. Not only was my bike a source of pleasure and fun, but it was necessary equipment to my job as a paper carrier.

Growth continued until when we were four and a half years old we left a Baptist denomination, and we were sued for everything we owned.

An old proverb states, “For want of a nail the shoe was lost, for want of a shoe the horse was lost, for want of a horse the rider was lost, for want of a rider the battle was lost, for want of the battle the kingdom was lost, and all for the want of a horseshoe nail.”

Jesus took His disciples with Him, and this small group of men took the Gospel throughout the world.

Excellence may become the forgotten attribute in our casual-obsessed culture. We seem to be mired in a mundane malaise of mediocrity.