The directional leadership team just got back from one of our quarterly off-sites and at the off-site we identified a number of characteristics we’re looking for in a Team Lead. I’m now taking that list and sharing it in a way that will help you (the New Day staff) know what to look for and consider before appointing a volunteer to the role of Team Lead.
Befoe we dive in, let me remind you: At most churches staff spend 2% of their time on recruitment and 75% of their time dealing with their recruiting mistakes. To level up your department you must level up your people. Ok, with that said, here is what to look for in a team lead…
- Look for someone with a godly reputation (Galatians 5:22). Ask yourself: Does this person ooze the fruit of the Spirit?
- Look for someone who has been faithful as a volunteer (Luke 16:10). Ask yourself: Have they been faithful in little? If they haven’t been faithful with little, they won’t be faithful with much.
- Look for someone who serves willingly and eagerly (1 Peter 5:2). With some people you really have to twist their arm to get them to do whatever it is you’ve asked. And then there are those who receive assignments joyfully and then do them willingly and eagerly – and that’s who you want to promote to Team Lead.
- Look for someone who understands and practices submission to authority (Hebrews 13:17). If (as a volunteer) they haven’t followed whatever policies/standards you’ve issued, they will never make a good Team Lead. Before you are qualified to be in authority, you have to first prove that you know how to be under authority. So if they’ve bucked the rules, that’s not someone you want to put into a position of greater influence in our church.
- Look for someone whose work is marked by excellence (Matthew 5:41). Ask yourself: When given an assignment do they do the bare minimum or go the extra mile? We want Team Leads who go the extra mile.
- Look for someone who is likable (1 Timothy 3:7). Ask yourself “When our guests interact with this person, will they like this person and be thankful that this person is in leadership at our church?”
If you think you have someone who matches the above description, submit their name to your supervisor at your next monthly department meeting for approval. When you suggest that someone become a Team Lead your supervisor will ask you about them, using the five things listed above as their guide.
As you know, at New Day we hire from within, and this process will ensure we promote the right kind of people, and will give us more and better options when we need to fill a staff position.