Church staff displaying signs of disengagement might not be lazy but spiritually disconnected and malnourished. The real issue is often soul erosion resulting from constant ministry hustle without adequate time to abide in Christ.

• Warning signs include emotional flatness despite busyness
• Loss of compassion, creativity, and conviction about ministry
• Staff going through Sunday motions while feeling numb or cynical
• Avoidance of deep conversations and focus on just getting through the day
• These symptoms indicate spiritual warning lights, not poor work ethic

Schedule white space for your team - one day per quarter for personal retreat and soul repair. Normalize soul care by discussing spiritual rhythms alongside productivity expectations. Ask deeper questions during check-ins focused on heart condition, not just project status. Build spiritual health into your organizational culture.

Take time after listening to reflect honestly on your own spiritual nourishment and that of your staff. If you need support, reach out to [email protected].

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.

Churches often discover staff culture issues too late, only learning painful truths during exit interviews after resignations have already occurred.

• Exit interviews function more like autopsies than checkups, revealing issues when it's too late to fix them
• If team members only speak truth on their way out, that signals a culture problem, not just a communication issue
• Staff often feel honesty equals disloyalty, creating unsafe environments for feedback
• Quarterly "stay interviews" provide proactive opportunities for honest conversation
• Powerful questions include "What's frustrating you?" and "What might make you think about leaving?"
• Anonymous tools can help gather honest feedback when trust is still building
• Leaders must model vulnerability and demonstrate that honesty won't be punished
• Even with good practices, exit interviews remain valuable for identifying patterns

If you need help with exit interviews or navigating staff culture challenges, reach out at [email protected] to learn how our team can support you.

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.

We explore why the common practice of calling church staff a "family" can create unhealthy dynamics that undermine accountability 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 accountability
• 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 accountability is non-negotiable
• Healthy teams maintain both strong relationships and commitment to growth, feedback, and excellence

If you're struggling with creating a healthier staff culture, reach out to us at [email protected] for coaching and 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.

We explore the dangerous tendency for churches to confuse burnout with revival, and how overwork disguised as faithfulness is damaging the souls of ministry staff. This continuing conversation on burnout examines why ministry teams feel depleted even when church metrics are thriving.

• Churches often celebrate busyness and overloaded schedules, calling them "faithfulness" or "revival" while staff crumble behind the scenes
• Ministry metrics like attendance, baptisms, and program growth can masquerade as true spiritual movement
• Staff secretly praying for a cancelled event signals burnout, not revival
• Warning signs include no margin for family, guilt about taking time off, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and spiritual emptiness
• True revival should energize people, not deplete them
• Leadership must model sustainable rhythms including Sabbath rest, boundaries, and permission to say no
• Your church staff isn't just a workforce—it's your first mission field

If this resonates with you or you have feedback, reach out to [email protected]. Join me again tomorrow on the Healthy Church Staff Podcast.

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.

Church leaders should recognize that staff who never take vacations are displaying a significant red flag, not dedication, as this mindset breeds burnout, decreased effectiveness, and eventual departure from ministry. Healthy churches thrive when leaders are physically and spiritually refreshed, following Jesus' own example of prioritizing rest during his ministry.

• The "never taking vacation" mindset is a toxic badge of honor that signals deeper issues
• Even Jesus, fully God and fully man, needed breaks during his earthly ministry
• Lack of rest doesn't prove commitment—it reveals unhealthy expectations and poor leadership
• Workaholism has real consequences: decreased effectiveness and emotional exhaustion
• Leaders must model healthy rest by taking their own vacation days
• Publicly celebrate team members who prioritize rest rather than making them feel guilty
• Finding the balance between hard work and proper rest is essential for sustainable ministry

If you're struggling with creating a healthy church staff culture, I'd love to talk with you and hear your story. We specialize in helping churches move toward healthier practices and sustainable ministry. Reach out anytime at [email protected].

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.

Church membership in Southern Baptist churches has hit a 50-year low while attendance is actually increasing, revealing a complex picture of modern church engagement. This paradoxical trend isn't limited to Baptist churches but represents a broader shift occurring across evangelical churches nationwide.

• Membership in SBC churches dropped below 13 million (down 2% in one year)
• Weekly attendance increased by almost 6% despite membership decline
• Baptisms surged by nearly 26%, showing spiritual vitality beneath the numbers
• Financial giving rose by almost 10%, indicating strong commitment
• These trends suggest a need to redefine what "connected" and "committed" mean
• Churches may need to develop new pathways to belonging beyond traditional membership
• Traditional metrics of "butts, bucks, and buildings" may be less relevant than discipleship indicators
• Leaders should view this as an inflection point rather than a crisis
• The key is to measure what truly matters - life transformation and disciple-making

If you're looking for help with church staffing issues or building a healthy staff culture, reach out anytime at [email protected] to schedule a conversation.

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.

Churches nationwide are experimenting with AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance ministry operations while preserving theological integrity. Far from replacing pastoral roles, AI is helping churches streamline routine tasks so staff can focus more on meaningful ministry with their congregations.

• Churches currently use AI for writing devotionals, newsletters, sermon brainstorming, and answering basic faith questions
• AI benefits include creating more margin for ministering to people, enhancing creativity, and improving engagement
• Clear boundaries must be established—AI is a tool, not a truth-teller, and Scripture always takes precedence
• When considering AI implementation, ask when you're burning out on repetitive tasks that could be streamlined
• Start small by using ChatGPT for drafting sermon outlines, summarizing meetings, or generating templates
• Always guide and test AI tools rather than turning them loose, especially in theological contexts
• AI won't save the church or cost pastors their jobs, but it might save staff sanity and valuable time

Send your questions or share how you're using AI in ministry at [email protected].

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.

Most church staff meetings lack energy and purpose, wasting valuable time and missing opportunities for team building and vision alignment. We explore six practical strategies to transform these gatherings from boring obligations into energizing huddles that your team will actually look forward to attending.

• Rethink the purpose - treat meetings as team huddles, not information dumps
• Start with energy by celebrating wins both big and small
• Make meetings interactive by engaging every voice through discussion and activities
• Use visuals and stories instead of reading reports word-for-word
• Focus on ministry impact rather than just logistics
• Build a feedback culture where team members can honestly share improvement ideas
• Consider changing meeting frequency if you're stuck in a rut
• Remember: if your meeting could have been an email, it probably should have been

Reach out to me at [email protected] if you'd like me to speak to your team via Zoom or if you need help developing a healthy church staff culture. Our coaches and consultants at Chemistry Staffing can provide the outside perspective you need to take your next steps forward.

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.

Crisis doesn't knock politely at your church's door—it kicks it in without warning. Whether it's a leadership scandal, church split, natural disaster, or financial impropriety, how you respond in those critical first moments will shape your ministry's future.

This episode unpacks four essential steps for navigating church crisis with wisdom and pastoral sensitivity. We start with immediate response and assessment—gathering accurate information within the first 24-48 hours, thinking like a shepherd for your flock, and quickly assembling a trusted crisis response team. The spotlight often finds unexpected leaders during crisis, so being prepared to step up is crucial.

Communication becomes your lifeline during turbulent times. As we explore in depth, silence breeds suspicion, while transparent, compassionate communication builds trust. Remember, you're not merely managing public relations—you're shepherding hearts. Using multiple communication channels with appropriate frequency ensures your message reaches everyone who needs it.

No leader should face crisis alone. We discuss the importance of seeking outside wisdom from experienced mentors, denominational leaders, or specialized ministries who've walked this difficult path before. The ancient wisdom rings true: plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors, they succeed. Similarly, prioritizing pastoral care becomes essential as wounded people tend to wander without support. Your presence, availability, and genuine care will help your congregation navigate their pain.

Ready to strengthen your church's crisis response? Create communication templates and care maps before you need them. Remember that every crisis, while painful, presents opportunities for necessary growth and renewal. Reach out to [email protected] if you need guidance—we're here to help your church move toward health, even in the most challenging circumstances.

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.

Church staff are professionals deserving of recognition, fair compensation, and work boundaries—not just volunteers with fancy titles. Breaking these 10 common misconceptions about church staff culture is essential to building sustainable ministries where teams thrive rather than merely survive.

• Church staff are real professionals who need proper training and development
• Setting boundaries isn't selfish – it's sustainable ministry in action
• Staff members need recognition and affirmation, not just a paycheck
• Different staff roles require different leadership approaches
• Fair compensation reflects value, not a lack of spiritual commitment
• Healthy accountability is necessary for all staff members
• Staff are real people with families, dreams, and struggles
• Church staff culture is mission-critical, not just a nice-to-have
• Strong staff cultures are 31% more productive with 3× better retention

If you're looking to improve your church staff culture or need help diagnosing issues, reach out to us at [email protected] for resources and support. Visit chemistrystaffing.com to find podcasts, toolkits, and benchmarking resources to help your team flourish.

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.