Paying people does not make them passionate about church. Period.
While our church is only a little less than 4 months old, I have learned quickly and clearly that giving people a paycheck does not produce one iota of passion for God or for the church. Either they are passionate or they aren’t. Here’s what I know:
- If people were not really passionate about God or the church you lead before you started paying them, they won’t grow one single ounce of passion about God or the church you lead because you pay them.
- If people were really passionate about God or the church you lead before you started paying them, paying them does not mean that this passion will be magically sustained or revived with each paycheck they receive.
Money just doesn’t produce passion. People that are passionate about God and the church are passionate if they have money or if they are dead broke. I recently listed 10 mistakes I have made so far as a church planter.
Mistake #11 has to be thinking that people that I liked a little bit would become passionate people that I liked a lot once our church started giving them a paycheck. Time after time I have learned that I hired most people far too quickly because we thought we had to do this. I was wrong and 100% of the hires we made of people without passion NEVER really grew in their passion because of any money they received from the church.
The solution to this, in part, is to be far more rigorous in the hiring process and to really search for people that have demonstrated a real passion for God that doesn’t happen to mysteriously surge at the mention of money.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Very true i myself fall under the "Playing for money at a church i actually dislike",I'll admit it but I attend elsewhere on saturday evenings. -Larry B
thanks for your honesty bro! hope you and your fam are doing well. How is school? Finished?
Its just like working a job. If that person is not passionate about what they do for a living they are simply working for a paycheck (and their work reflects it usually) Jesus was pretty smart when he said that if you are faithful in the least you can’t be ruler over things bigger. The best thing to do is let people volunteer first and watch them in “small” tasks and then you can see someone’s heart for the thing. I learned this while in college ministry. People are “passionate” up until something more important to them comes up. But after being burned you begin to look for people who believe that there is no satisfactory substitutes for excellence in ministry for God… From the person doing administration all the way to the pulpit. Great post Pastor Shaun!
I hear you. I am wondering though if your not giving them or God enough time/credit after 4 months. What will they look like year or two from now? They may not be passionate "in the same ways you are about God," but that 's not to say that growth won't come. The question is what about the ministry lacks a sense of passion for them? Perhaps if you find that out then you learn how to reach an additional group. Another question: they may see you as the pastor of "The Couragous Church," but are YOU there pastor. You will find that some people who work at churches under a pastor my not see them as their pastor. This creates a disconnect. When you work at church, church becomes work. You then may want to consider how you can work to become the pastor of your staff. I hope that doesn't sound to mumbled….its a difficult thought for me to communicate by typing words. I think when they understand that you are their pastor, and care deeply for them and not just the work they do at TCC, then you may begin to tap in to a level of passion they didn't even know they had.
Awesome insights and thoughts Courtney. I understand you 100%. I worked at a church before I became a Lead Pastor so I certainly understand your thoughts.
I do think that taking a step back and thinking about things in a 2-3 vision would help. However, here is what I think will hold true no matter what. People that weren't passionate when we hired them, and aren't passionate four months later, are not likely to morph into passionate people because they are being paid.
Part 1: I happened upon your blog via your FB drive for the elementary school and have been following vigorously since. I love the honesty of your blog. I also like the fact that you are a part of the ARC. I attend DC Metro Church and LOVE what the ARC stands for and its passion and zeal for God.
Ok. I have never commented on a blog post but will now… I agree with Courtney and your thoughts about passion. And think that everything takes time. Time to grow and develop (even zeal for God). I would take a step back and look at those around you and what the church is about, and ensure those who are on your paid staff are willing to devote and have passion for your church mission. Second, is it possible to reach out to those who may attend seminary and will be looking for their first calling and bring their zeal down to ATL. Just a thought. Also, can you seek out people who you have worked with at other churches and ask for recommendations of staff members for your key areas?
Part 2:
Last thought, those things that you need to get out there….marketing, email blogs, design, is it possible to look at some of your fellow ARC churches to send missionaries to assist you in those areas. I know we had a great group of guys and gals twice at our church and they helped tremendously. I look forward to reading more about you and your mission with Courageous Church, and I hope to visit on one of my trips home. Wishing you many blessings and faith for the days ahead! I can't wait to see what He has in store for you!
Shaun, I am so glad I came across this. You are absolutely right. Money does not produce passion. I'm old enough to remember a time when the only people really on staff at the church were the organist, the pastor, the church secretary, and possibly a custodian/grounds keeper type person. Churches have exploded into mega-employers and I don't think that it's all for His Glory.
I do believe that churches that expect a full time commitment from professionals should pay those individuals considering that the organization is able to. That said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with providing your gifts on an in-kind basis to YOUR church. Over the years I've watch volunteerism evolve into a modest stipend and then evolve into a full time salary that often changes the churches message and agenda from Jesus to, "people we need more money to keep all this going."
The passion is inherit. Unfortunately, I feel like church jobs often attract individuals who simply do not want to work. They don't want to deal with conventional jobs so they seek our lay positions that will allow them to come and go as they please, enjoy a meager workload, and always be down in front. I've seen so many instances where the ministry that you were passionate about, after becoming a staff member, simply becomes church work. Monotonous, meaningless, and a means towards a paycheck.