The Healthy Church Staff Podcast

By Todd RhoadesBusiness Religion & Spirituality Christianity Careers

The Healthy Church Staff Podcast episodes

October 30 The Calendar Invite Was the Ask
This episode of the Healthy Church Staff podcast, hosted by Todd Rhoades, addresses the intricacies of assigning work through digital scheduling tools. It explores how calendar invitations can sometimes become the first and only form of communication about assignments, causing confusion and inefficiencies. Todd shares insights on ensuring clear communication, the importance of understanding preparation time, and fostering an environment where staff are comfortable discussing their workload and potential conflicts.
• Calendar notifications should not replace proper conversation.
• Differentiate between regular responsibilities and new assignments.
• Ensure clear communication about the nature of requests.
• Provide adequate background information for assignments.
• Encourage open dialogue about workload and prioritization.
• Avoid reliance on emails and texts for substantial communication.
• Conduct face-to-face discussions when assigning significant tasks.
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.
9 min
October 29 You Approved Their Vacation. Then You Took It Back.
This episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, hosted by Todd Rhoades, discusses the importance of respecting approved vacation time for church staff. The focus is on preparing adequately before their absence to avoid unnecessary interruptions and the potential cost of asking staff to cut short their vacation. It highlights the necessity of backup plans and the church's responsibility to ensure staff can confidently manage personal plans without church disruptions. • The podcast highlights a scenario where church staff's approved vacation could be interrupted due to unforeseen events at the church. • Emphasizes the significant impact on personal plans and family dynamics when vacation plans are changed. • Churches should think ahead about staff coverage and avoid last-minute calls to staff on vacation. • Importance of clear communication and exploring all alternatives before reaching out to staff on vacation. • Need for genuine appreciation and potentially compensating disrupted vacation plans. • Ensuring proper backup plans and authority are in place before staff leave on vacation. • Practical advice includes reviewing upcoming vacations and confirming coverage.
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.
9 min
October 28 Whoever Fixed the Projector Owns IT Now
This episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast addresses the issue of job description creep in church staff roles, where staff members like 'Chris,' initially hired for one role, inadvertently become the go-to person for all technical issues. The host, Todd Rhoades, discusses strategies to address this issue, ensuring staff roles are clear and manageable, and encourages healthy team collaboration and support. • Staff members can unintentionally take on technical roles outside their initial job description. • Importance of discussing any additional responsibilities with staff members. • Identifying responsibilities causing the most disruption and who should own them. • Need for proper support, training, and compensation when roles change. • Developing a checklist for technical processes and troubleshooting. • Team collaboration and backup plans for technical issues. • Appreciating staff efforts and clarifying post-crisis responsibilities.
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.
8 min
October 27 You're Promoting the Church From Their Personal Account
In this episode of the 'Healthy Church Staff' podcast, host Todd Rhoades discusses the challenges and expectations surrounding the use of personal social media accounts by church staff for church promotion. Rhoades highlights the blurred lines between personal and professional social media use, explores the pressures that staff may feel to continually share church content, and provides practical advice for setting boundaries and creating sustainable communication strategies within churches.
• Church staff often feel pressure to use personal social media accounts for church promotion.
• There is a difference between enjoying sharing about ministry and feeling obligated to do so.
• Clarifying whether personal social media sharing is truly optional is important.
• Churches need to maintain official communication channels and clarify staff responsibilities.
• Staff should be able to direct church-related queries to official channels without personal accountability.
• Establish clear public conduct expectations and a communication plan that doesn't overly rely on personal accounts.
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.
8 min
October 26 They're Still "Acting." The Work Isn't.
In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, Todd Rhoades discusses the challenges and misunderstandings surrounding temporary or interim church appointments. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication and decision-making timelines to prevent staff members from being left in limbo and outlines practical steps to establish clear roles and expectations. • Temporary roles, such as acting or interim positions, can lead to misunderstandings if not clearly defined. • Leadership should communicate the purpose of the interim role and whether the person is a candidate for a permanent position. • Responsibility and authority should be matched - interim leaders should have the necessary authority to meet expectations. • Discuss and address compensation differences openly and provide resources like training or administrative support if needed. • Set a clear timeline for decision-making to avoid leaving interim employees in uncertainty. • Review and acknowledge missed deadlines and make adjustments before they cause frustration. • Interim roles are beneficial when parameterized with clear expectations and transparent communication.
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.
9 min
October 23 You Made Karen Your Entire HR Department
In this podcast episode, Todd Rhoades discusses the tendency for a capable church administrator, referred to as 'Karen', to inadvertently become responsible for HR duties. This transition often occurs without intentional planning or support, leading to potential challenges. Todd outlines key considerations and strategies for managing these responsibilities effectively in smaller churches. • Capable administrators often take on HR roles unintentionally. • Differentiate between administration tasks and leadership decisions. • Ensure the administrator is supported and trained for evolving responsibilities. • Importance of clear reporting and escalation processes for staff concerns. • Engage in open discussions with administrators to define roles and responsibilities.
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.
9 min
October 22 Cover Until We Hire Became Their Second Job
This podcast episode discusses the challenges that arise when temporary responsibilities in a church setting turn into long-term obligations without proper reassessment or support for the staff member involved. It highlights the need for clear communication, defined parameters, and appropriate support and compensation to manage staff transitions effectively.
• Temporary responsibilities can quietly become long-term commitments.
• Staff members may take on extra duties without any adjustment in their original responsibilities.
• Organizations should define assignments clearly and adjust workloads accordingly.
• Ongoing assignments should include discussions on support, compensation, and realistic timelines.
• Leaders should periodically review temporary arrangements to ensure fairness and long-term sustainability.
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.
9 min
October 21 Uh-Oh: The Staff Retreat Turned Into a Work Weekend
In this podcast episode, Todd Rhoades discusses the importance of planning effective staff retreats that truly provide rest, connection, and rejuvenation for church staff members. He emphasizes the need to clearly define the purpose of the retreat, simplify logistics, and ensure adequate free time for participants, to avoid turning the retreat into an exhausting experience. • Staff retreats should align with clear objectives: rest, connection, or strategic planning. • Avoid over-scheduling; allow genuine downtime for staff. • Understand participant workloads to prevent additional stress post-retreat. • Clearly communicate the purpose and schedule of the retreat. • Provide flexibility and autonomy in how participants use their free time.
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.
10 min
October 20 They Heard It From the Stage (Oops... You Forgot to Tell Them)
In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, the host discusses the importance of effective communication within church staff teams, particularly when new programs or changes are announced. A major point is the need to involve and inform team members who will be carrying out new initiatives before publicly announcing them, to prevent confusion and ensure proper preparation. • Unexpected announcements can catch staff off guard, highlighting a gap in internal communication. • Leaders often become excited about new ideas and forget to communicate essential details to those responsible for implementation. • Two key conversations are essential: one about the decision itself and another about the implications for staff roles. • Providing enough time and information allows staff to prepare and effectively lead their teams. • A simple step to improve communication: review Sunday's announcements for areas impacting staff responsibilities and ensure all affected parties are informed.
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.
10 min
October 19 Andy Stanley's Succession Plan: The Work Behind the Announcement
This podcast episode from the Healthy Church Staff discusses the importance of succession planning in church leadership, prompted by Andy Stanley's announcement to transition leadership of North Point Ministries to Joel Thomas. The episode stresses planning succession well in advance, developing leadership within the organization, and clearly outlining roles post-transition to ensure smooth leadership handover. • Andy Stanley announced his plans to transition leadership of North Point Ministries to Joel Thomas. • Succession planning should begin well in advance to prepare adequately for leadership transitions. • Develop internal leadership before naming a successor by assigning meaningful responsibilities. • Clarify roles and responsibilities after a leadership handover, especially when the former leader remains involved. • Important to consider the emotional and organizational impacts a transition can have on staff and the congregation. • Church boards should regularly discuss succession to avoid last-minute transitions. • Three questions to address in succession planning: immediate leadership replacement, planned transition preparations, and clarifications for new leadership support.
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.
11 min