So you are a pastor. You preach, teach, and shepherd people. But also… you have a church staff. Now you are not only a pastor, but also a manager. They didn’t have a class on that in seminary. So how do you manage staff?
One of the primary ways that managers manage is through regular one-on-one meetings with their staff. Therefore, if you want to be a great manager, then mastering leading the 1:1 meeting is a critical step.
In the church where I lead, I coach our staff managers to conduct their 1:1’s according to 3 C’s.
Care,
Clear,
Coach.
You can download the full PDF guide to this structure
The first step is to CARE
In seminary, they probably taught you that people won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Well, something is similarly true in staff leadership. Staff won’t follow you on the adventure of pursuing God’s vision for the church unless they know that you actually care about them. Does this guy care about me as a person, or just as someone who can get stuff done for him?
The second step is to CLEAR
I think of this word as having two meanings. On the one hand, it means clearing the table of all the discussion items that have accumulated since your last meeting. There are questions, problems, and check-ups that need to happen in this meeting. Get through them.
On the other hand, it means to be clear or have clarity. Supervisors and their staff must know who is responsible for doing what and by when. What are the expectations?
The third step is to COACH
A humble leader will be tempted to think that he or she has nothing to offer their staff (or at least some of them). Especially with your high-performing staff, you may be tempted to say: "You’re great. You’re awesome. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Just let me know if you have a question or need something." Don’t give in to that temptation.
You were put in this position for a reason. You are their leader, so lead them. Help them grow into all that God has made them and called them to be. Develop them, correct them, give them feedback about their work, and process wins and losses with them so that they can learn from them.
When your staff are cared for, have clarity on their tasks, and receive regular coaching, they will become an unstoppable force for the kingdom.
Take up the role God gave you and manage them well.