Communication in churches

Thesis Statement:
A clear and continuously cast vision, along with good consistent communication to ministry leaders within the church, are essential to keeping ministries aligned to the purpose and mission of the church, and functioning as one body moving forward to change the world. “Communication is defined as “the exchange and flow of information and ideas from one person to another. It involves a sender transmitting an idea to a receiver.” (http://blog.memberhub.com).

Communication is one of the biggest areas overlooked when it comes to working with groups of people. Many think that information can be given one or two times and that is enough, however; over time I have found that you cannot over communicate, especially information that is critical to the success of your organization and achieving your goals. The PISCO Model has been very helpful in giving decision-making teams the right tools and information, in the right order, to come to a decisive and functional answer to the issues they face. The PISCO Model was developed by Edward de Bono, and involves five specific steps that help effectively problem solve an issue in the simplest way. Let’s explore this model further by applying it to a real problem facing many small churches today.

P – Problem
Most small churches are comprised of volunteer ministry leaders. These are normal everyday people working a secular job and serving God by leading a specific ministry in the church. Through my own experience, in churches I have served in, I have seen these heroes’ lead, teach, organize their areas, and affect lives for the Kingdom, but mostly on their own accord, and often times un-skilled. “When people feel inadequate for the responsibility, they become discouraged. The Jews rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem became discouraged when they perceived the rubble to be beyond their ability to move (Nehemiah 4:10). Training for ministry enables people to develop confidence that they are competent for the tasks.” (http://ministryhealth.net). Unfortunately, I saw many of these ministry leaders go week to week serving in these areas having not sat down with the leadership of the church on a regular basis, seldom getting face time with the senior pastor or elder of the church to make sure what they were doing matched the purpose and mission of the church holistically. This usually leads to burn out and frustration of the volunteer because they are left to feel that what they do doesn’t matter or isn’t appreciated, and that is communicated to them by the leadership of the church not getting involved or being interested in that particular ministry.

The problem is not that the leadership of the church thinks the ministry isn’t important, it is the realization that there is a lack of regular communication and consistent vision casting coming from either the senior pastor or, leadership of the church. The other thing that is lacking is the encouragement and communication that should come from the leadership directly to the volunteer’s of these ministries. Subsequently they are left feeling unappreciated and out of the loop as the church moves on around them. As a result of this, the ministries begin to develop a mission statement all their own, and although it may be with the best intentions, many times end up causing friction with the churches mission statement, thereby causing a separation or negating of the effectiveness of that particular ministry at the church level.

So to summarize, a lack of regular communication and consistent vision casting for volunteer ministry leaders is lacking or non-existent, resulting in burnout, frustration in the ministry leader, and a feeling of being alone in their leadership. This issue needs to be corrected because it is unfair for the church to expect volunteers to lead ministries blindly. I believe there exists an opportunity to repair some damaged relationships and to align some powerful ministries with the vision and mission of the church as a whole.

I – Input
In order to gather the appropriate information to solve this issue, the following are some questions that should be asked of the volunteer ministry leaders and key leadership of the church:
1. How many times in the past year have you sat down with either the senior pastor or a member of the leadership team to discuss your part in the bigger picture of the churches mission and vision?
2. When was the last time the senior pastor or a member of the leadership team checked in on you to see if there was anything you needed to help you lead your ministry better and or more effectively?
3. How many times have you and other ministry leaders met, as a whole, to discuss your areas of ministry, creative ideas, and celebrate wins?
4. How can the senior leadership of the church best serve you and help you grow and succeed in this ministry you lead?

For the key leadership of the church the same questions could and should be asked in the reverse connotation, such as; State the last time you offered some support to a volunteer ministry leader or came along side them and served them so they could succeed in their ministry? I also believe that asking questions like: “What areas are causing information to not be communicated effectively? Is it our approach or style of communication? Or is it the infrequency of our communication with our volunteers? should be asked in order to gain some knowledge in the area of how our volunteers best receive information. This will aid us in communicating the solution to our problem in a manner in which they will understand and retain the data.


S – Solutions
Several solutions to the issue should arise during this process of analyzing the input gathered. Once the input has been collected and organized in like subjects, we should begin to think of creative solutions to our communication problem. Exploring solutions from different angles such as, solutions from the top down or bottom up, will offer a well-rounded view from all parties involved. One might even consider outside influences that could bridge the gap that exists. At this point, the imagination can usually be the most powerful tool as brainstorming allows for outside of the box thinking to happen. Once all the possible solutions have been thought out and listed, the team should begin analyzing each one with several filters in place. Is it practical? Which solution is the strongest in terms of effectiveness? Some possible solutions for this particular issue might be as follows:

1. The senior pastor or senior leadership of the church should meet on an individual basis with each volunteer ministry leader once a month to communicate vision, assess the progress and direction of the ministry in question. Once very month might be too much in some cases so the adjustment could be made at the discretion of the leadership team. During this meeting the goal will be to try to get a sense of what the volunteer needs to be successful in their leadership of that ministry. Communicate the vision and mission of the church and explain how this particular ministry can help fulfill that mission and vision. And to communicate any other vital information that might be needed. This will do two things, it will allow the senior pastor or leadership team to be aware of what is happening in that ministry and it will let the ministry leader know that what they do matters and that they matter in the grand scheme of things. “ Psychologist Abraham Maslow developed the concept of a hierarchy of needs through which people progress. In our society, most people have reasonably satisfied their two lower levels of needs: physiological needs (food and basic provision) and their security and safety needs (shelter and protection from the elements and physical danger). Beyond these two basic need levels, people progress to satisfy the three upper levels: )1) social needs for love, acceptance, and belonging; (2) ego needs to be heard, appreciated, and wanted; and (3) self-actualizing needs, including the need to achieve one’s fullest potential through professional, philanthropic, political, educational, and artistic channels.” (DeFrene & Lehman, 2006). I think this will enhance the leadership of that volunteer and therein enhance the success of their ministry.

2. Two times per year, the senior pastor and senior leadership of the church should get together with all the volunteer and staff ministry leaders to express their appreciation for the hard work that those involved put into their respective ministries. During this time of celebration and recognition, it would yet another opportunity for the leadership of the church to communicate why each ministry is important and how each ministry fits into the overall mission and vision of the church. Gathering all the volunteers and staff together in one location also provides the opportunity for community to happen. When ministry leaders know that they are not alone in their ministry, it gives them energy and drive to fight the good fight and continue to impact the world around them.

C – Choice
Once the team has explored all the solutions and have chosen what they believe to be the best of their list, a statement should be written that communicates clearly what solution has been chosen and why. It should include clear wording that explains what this solution is intended to do and why, and how will it affect those involved? Such a statement would be broken into three parts and it might look like this:

Choice Statement:
“We believe that creating an environment where the leadership team and the senior pastor can regularly sit down and discuss with each ministry leader their concerns and needs, they will then be able to come to a solution and aid in the success of that ministry leader.”
Vision:
“We see a future where all ministry leaders are in tune with the overall mission and vision of the church as a result of clear constant communication between other ministry leaders and both the senior pastor and senior leadership team of the church.”
Goals:
“Our goal is to create an environment in which excitement and passion fill the air on a daily basis, because everyone knows their part and how they fit into the big picture of life change within the church. Ministry leaders will understand why they do what they do and the importance of doing it well”
O-Operation:
In order to effect change within the church and to close the gap in the lack of communication, the change team must put feet to the idea, and put it into action. Once again the change team will need to develop a statement that effectively communicates the problem, the solution, how it will work and what the intended result will be. Such a statement might sound something like this:

To all volunteer and staff ministry leaders:
We as the senior leadership team of the church recognize that we have not been communicating effectively or clearly with our volunteer or staff ministry leaders, for this we apologize. In order to correct the lack of communication that exists between senior leadership and volunteer ministry leaders, and to help remove the frustration that comes from said lack of communication; effective January 3, 2011, the senior leadership team and or the senior pastor will begin meeting with individual volunteer and staff ministry leaders once every two months to discuss the mission and vision of the church, and how that particular ministry fits into the bigger picture. At that time, they will also discuss any needs and or concerns the ministry leader has pertaining to their ministry, and together will work to find a solution to help the volunteer or staffer succeed as a leader and in their respective ministry.

Each volunteer and staff ministry leader will be asked to attend one ministry related conference or educational class per year. There will be $250 per ministry allocated for this training annually. The intended goal is for our volunteers and staff to continue to grow in their leadership and ministry area. In addition to the individual meetings and annual training opportunities, there will be a church wide volunteer and staff meeting two times per year to gather all ministry leaders together in one location for community, mission and vision casting, and to also celebrate together our wins and to recognize those who serve in these positions. This will create community, networking and a sense of body that has been lacking among our ministry leaders. 1 Corinthians 12: 24b-26 says, “…God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (NIV). Therefore, we desire to become as one body, serving with the same passion, knowledge, and mission in mind to impact the Kingdom of God.

In order to track our progress, and assess our goals, each ministry leader will be asked to fill out a monthly report that will focus on three key areas; (1) Communication with senior leadership. (2) Personal growth in leadership or their respective ministry area. (3) Ministry needs

As we continue to assess and adjust these areas, our communication should become clearer and more effective. Our ministry leaders should feel better connected and supported not only by the senior leadership, but by each other, and as a corporate body we should see growth both physically and spiritually. Thank you for your service and your assistance in finding a solution to this issue.

Sincerely,
The Senior Leadership Team

I think that this particular scenario is far more common than most would think. Having been raised in small churches for first 37 years of my life, I understand all to clearly the issues that arise when senior leadership of the church doesn’t clearly and consistently communicate with the volunteers and staff of the church. Frustrations run high, people burn themselves out and end up walking away mad and dejected. Having served in a large church for the past two months, I have had the opportunity to see what good and clear communication can do for ministry leaders. I think that it is imperative for churches big and small, to take a good hard look at how they communicate both internally and externally. Things that go unsaid, most often speak louder than what is.




Resources
Bible. (NIV)
Daman, G.C., (2004, October 5). Raising morale in the small church. Ministry Health. Retrieved November 18, 2010. From http://www.ministryhealth.net/mh_articles/047_gd_raising_morale_in_the_small_church. html
DuFrene, D. D., & Lehman, C. M. (2006). Communications I and II: Eng 140/141. Mason, OH:Thomson
Massey, M. (2009, January 28). Common concern of church communication. Message posted to http://blog.memberhub.com/common-concern-of-church-communication/

New Chapter

Well, now that it is official, I can share it with you all. Over this past summer, I have been transitioning out of my position as the worship leader at Union Chapel Church here in Fort Wayne so that I can situate myself in a place where I could learn more, get stretched and mentored in leading worship and my musicianship. Lisa and I decided that once we left Union Chapel, we would most likely attend a church close to our house so we could be more involved in the community and have easier access to the church for events.

We were looking at two churches that are right in our backyards and Emmanuel Community seemed to be a better fit for our family. I was born to be a leader, but I figured that even leaders need to be schooled and mentored, so I decided that I would join the worship and arts team at ECC as a volunteer, and serve and learn what I could as long as God wanted us there.

Time moved on, and I found out that ECC was actually looking to hire a part time worship leader to help with 2 of the 5 services they have on the weekends. I applied for the job and three times over the past two months I have auditioned for the position as a guest worship leader. I just got word Monday that the elder board voted that I was the right person to take the position and I officially start September 4th leading my first service there.

I am really excited, not only for the opportunities and on the job training I will gain, but for my family as well. There are plenty of opportunities for them to get involved to serve and still attend a service to get built up and encouraged as well.

The past 5 years at Union Chapel have been a blessing and I have learned a lot about myself, leadership, people and life. I have made some wonderful and close friends and intend to keep those relationships going as we begin this new chapter. Thank you for all of you who were praying for us during this time of seeking wisdom and understanding, we appreciate it.

I am looking forward to what the future holds for not only our lives, but for Union Chapel as well. I know God will do great things as we are both stretched and made dependent on God's power and strength.

Graduation Milestone

Today, I experienced a milestone. I have had goals and such, but today felt like a milestone. I graduated today with a little over 1000 other IWU graduates, 4 of which were some great guys I have had the opportunity and pleasure of getting to know over the past two and a half years.

It felt good to walk across the stage and get my diploma, although I am going back, it feels nice to have finished this chapter of life. I am looking forward to going back and getting my degree in Biblical Studies, and I am sure I will learn much through the next two years. Next graduation date is set for August 2012. (insert chuckle)

My family has been a huge support, and quite honestly has helped me get through some of the hard times while in school. It was fun challenging my oldest to see who could get a better grade in class, but of course mine costs more so I am working hard to beat him every time.

Two more years.......it's not really that long.......I can say that now, but all will be well. When I have a huge paper staring me in the face, I am exhausted and want to walk away, I will thank God for the opportunity He has given me to further my knowledge of His word, I will buckle down and get it done.

LORD, thank you for your strength, wisdom, and patience with me. Please help me to be a blessing and a servant to you. AMEN

Transitions

I find it interesting that the word "Transition" as defined by Webster says:

1 a : passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : change b : a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another

The very next definition for the same word says:

2 a : a musical modulation b : a musical passage leading from one section of a piece to another


Over the past few months, Lisa and I have been investigating some opportunities with two churches, both of which have been exploring their future needs in the music and arts ministries. I have spent some time in each place and have been given opportunities to serve them by leading worship in both places. This has been a very good experience for, not only me, but for my family as well. I have learned more about myself, my likes and dislikes, and my family has learned the same for themselves.

As many of you may already know, I gave notice at Union Chapel Church that my family would be leaving at the end of August in pursuit of training for myself and my career, and my calling into full-time ministry. Lisa and I knew that in order for me to get better in leadership, music, and teaching, I would need to move to a place where I could be mentored and trained up. I have learned a lot at Union Chapel and will always be grateful for the lessons, values, spiritual truths, and relationships I have been blessed to receive there.

As the 1st definition says, transition is a time of evolution from one form to another, from one stage to another, and that pretty much mirrors or explains my life right now. I am in transition as I move from being the sole music and arts leader, to a place where I will be among many leaders in that ministry. At first I am sure that I will struggle because for 13 years I have done this without specific mentorship or training, and I have gotten used to making decisions on my own. I have served under some great pastors and friends, but now I will get the opportunity to serve along side other leaders whose calling is the same and who's passions are the same. This will be a huge plus for me as I believe it will make me a better leader, a more creative musician and will in general stretch me and train me up.

Currently I feel as though I am in the middle with out a particular place to stand. It is a weird feeling, but one that I know is necessary. I know what my past looks like and where I have been, and I have a pretty clear idea of what the near future holds, so I guess you could say, I know right where I am. I guess that is a good thing..(insert chuckle)

The second part of the definition describes the word transition by using musical language, this I found funny since my life kind of revolves around music. As I thought about it a little more, I guess you could say that my life, (my song) is in transition. I am somewhere between the Verse and the Chorus. Let's say I am in the Pre-Chorus of my life right now. There is tension, and the volume is building, and you know that something more is coming, yet there is a slight pause, a small hesitation before things get on....and once it does, things seem to move along more smoothly. Ok enough of the metaphors, you get what I mean....

I am excited to say the least about what is coming and once everything gets ironed out and finalized, I will be more free to share it all. I trust that God has everything in control and is leading this process as we stay prayerful and watchful as to what He is doing in our lives. The feelings, the process, the "transitions" will all make sense and will all be worth it in the end.

So anyway, I say all this to try to explain how I have been feeling lately with our move. Stuck in the middle, not sure where to stand, a little out of the loop, but excited about what is to come.............Hmmmm...it would have been easier to just say that.

Wisdom

Waiting on God can be hard at times, but I think I am learning that as I wait on God to reveal His direction for our life, I don't have to do it and be bored or impatient. I have been waiting on God for quite a while now to answer some prayers we have and to reveal to us the direction He wants us to go. I have been learning that as we wait, we can do so actively by pursuing wisdom and understanding. I have never claimed to know everything, although I sometimes act like it, but one thing I do know is this. I have learned that as I wait on God, I can miss a lot if I obsess about His answer. I miss the journey that takes place as I wait, and the discovery of this truth is priceless in terms of the difference of having lived it or having endured it.

As I begin to understand the process and try my best to live it, every moment of it, every opportunity of it, I begin to understand a little more about myself and by doing that I gain wisdom. If God were to just answer our prayers the instant we asked them, I believe we would end up like spoiled little children that didn't appreciate what they had been given. But by waiting for it, working for it, trusting that it will be His best for you, you begin to appreciate and cherish the moments and opportunities that come your way that will prepare you for the answer. Regardless of what God's answer is for us, I can trust that it is His best answer, for me, for my family, and for those around us.

I love God, I love His gifts to me and my family, I love the opportunities and moments He blesses us with that teach and stretch us to rely on and trust in Him more. I know that his answer and His will for our lives is His best for us, and that is something that I am looking forward discovering in His time.

Colossians 1:10-12 (New International Version)

10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[a] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.