"Effective Interpersonal Relationships is the key to a happy and fulfilled life.  Poor interpersonal Relationships lead to a very unhappy and unfulfilled life."

Never has that statement been truer than in a church staff relationship.  The average length of a pastor’s service is less than four years and the average length of a staff person’s service is less than two years.  Why is that so?

For the Pastor of a church with a Staff of Ministers  

As you know it is very common for staff members to move after a short time at a local church?   In Southern Baptist Churches the average staff member's longevity is less than two years.

What causes so many staff changes in as church?  Could it be poor communication? 

One of the goals of Youthrec is to help staff members become better team players and develop lasting relationships that will encourage a long and fruitful ministry.  To accomplish this task, we are seeking to teach communication skills, detailed program planning and effective calendar planning.  It is our hope that through planning an exciting youth ministry and helping each youth leader to coordinate effectively with the pastor, other staff and church leaders that good staff relations will develop.

As you look over the training materials on Youthrec you will notice that we stress that each youth minister develop a mission statement and a well planned set of goals for his/her ministry.  This mission statement and set of goals should be shared with the pastor before making definite plans.  It then suggest that the youth minister coordinate with the other staff members and church leaders before making any calendar plans.

The article linked to this paragraph is designed to suggest ways you, as the pastor, and your youth minister may develop a close relationship and a common goal for the ministry to the youth of your church.  These suggestions are only food for thought in the hope that they will help you and your youth minister to have a long and successful ministry together.   You and I both know that good staff relations do not just happen by accident.

For the Minister on the Staff of a church     

As a  staff member you have a responsibility to be a supporter and an arm of extended ministry of your pastor.  Good staff relations do not just happen.  Good staff relations come from good communication among staff members. 

The article linked to this paragraph gives suggestions on what you, as a staff member, can do to foster good staff relations with your pastor and each staff member.  Study it prayerfully and search your heart and see if you can make a difference.