When Your Church Staff Is a ‘Family’… Until It’s Not 5c3p5a

We explore why the common practice of calling church staff a "family" can create unhealthy dynamics that undermine ability and mission. This seemingly biblical and warm approach often leads to avoiding necessary conversations, protecting underperformers, and creating exclusive in-crowds that damage church culture. • Family systems prioritize belonging regardless of performance while teams require alignment and ability • The family mindset makes firing or confronting staff feel like personal rejection rather than professional necessity • Churches with family cultures often struggle with either firing too quickly or never addressing performance issues • Close-knit staff "families" create insider/outsider dynamics that make new hires and volunteers feel excluded • A better model is a mission-driven team (like Navy SEALs) where relationships remain warm but ability is non-negotiable • Healthy teams maintain both strong relationships and commitment to growth, , and excellence If you're struggling with creating a healthier staff culture, reach out to us at [email protected] for coaching and . Have questions or comments? Send to [email protected] Be sure to subscribe to The Healthy Church Staff Podcast wherever you regularly listen to podcasts. - - - - - Is Your Church Hiring? If your church is searching for a new staff member, reach out to Todd for a conversation on how he might be able to help. Are You Looking for a New Ministry Role? If you are open to a new church role in the next few months, add your free resume and profile at ChemistryStaffing.com. 5l355o