Should Pastors/Leaders be accountable for lack of performance in their ministries? Can they blame someone else? Can they blame fate?
I like to use the analogy of a professional athletic coach (college or pro) when asked this question. If the team does poorly; loses the game or has a losing season, is he or she accountable as the coach? Absolutely! The coach:
- selected the players
- selected the assistant coaches
- prepared the players for the game
- inspires the team to play
- puts the right players in the game
- develops the right strategies during the game
- makes critical decisions at game time
- keeps player motivated during the game
You get the point. Any Pastor/Leader has the same responsibilities and makes the same decisions as above and more. If the ship goes down, the captain better be willing to go down with it. Do you agree?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
About two months ago I asked the question in a meeting at my church “What is so difficult about teamwork?” I received several responses. So, I wrote each down and ranked each of them to figure out ways I can assist in creating better teamwork since I was new at working in the church.
ReplyDelete1- Lack of a competent leader
2- Lack of goals and goal alignment
3- Individuals focused on themselves and not the team
4- Lack of understanding of team members
5- Lack of clarity of team roles, and/or the purpose and vision of the team
6- Lack of focus on team rewards and appreciation (only certain people are recognized)
7- Lack of spending time together as a team
8- Poor communication
9- Lack of trust
10- Lack of accountability
Lack of accountability can be a big obstacle in churches. Many times only the Pastor is held accountable. But on high performing teams, the team members hold each other accountable. When Ministry leaders are focused on the results together, they are more likely to hold one another accountable. This is very common on sports team. For example, a football receiver drops the ball and then the quarterback immediately holds him accountable by letting him know he needs to focus.
Everyone on the team is working towards the same goal, to win the game. Individual recognition is set aside for the betterment of the team. Not so you can gain brownie points with your Senior Pastor...etc.
Accountability (adverb): responsible to somebody or for something - capable of being explained.
ReplyDeleteHebrews 13:17 (King James Version)
17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Hebrews 13:17 (The Message)
17Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?
It accrued to me that relationship between pastor/member should be give and take. Pastors must‘watch for your souls and give account’. Members are to: be responsive and not make things hard for pastors. I believe both parties are to blame, or at least the one who’s incapable of explaining their actions. That was a very interesting question and thanks. You made me think today.