help me write my book
February 29th, 2008 @ 11:08 am
i LOVE the invaluable feedback you guys have provided when i ask little questions for mad church disease. so, here’s another…
what, in your opinion, makes an environment healthy?
Related posts:
Mad Church Disease
Chris Baker said,
February 29, 2008 at 11:24 am
Communication, Organization, and everyone on the same page as a result of the two later.
lynse leanne said,
February 29, 2008 at 11:36 am
Good communication…nope….open communication.
strict guidlines so there is no grey area.
people who actually like the people they are with.
an atmosphere where issues are talked about openly and forgivness can happen.
Chad Wright said,
February 29, 2008 at 11:49 am
Honesty.
John Ireland said,
February 29, 2008 at 11:51 am
living-out the God-fueled spirit of Galatians 6:2 -
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
we need to be genuinely other-oriented, not self-oriented. this means a willingness to comfort AND give appropriate correction.
steve said,
February 29, 2008 at 11:52 am
Speaking as a long time (20+ years) church volunteer:
In a healthy environment, my time would truly be valued, not just given lip service. If you ask me to serve, have something for me to do. If you ask me to a meeting, make sure it has some value to me. My time is my most personal and my most valuable ministry investment.
Communication is great also, but shield me from the politics and inner workings. I just want to serve.
Continuously share the vision. Share the passion. When changes are made, the leadership has had lots of time to digest and grow into a new vision. Too often the volunteers are left behind and just expected to jump on. It makes for hurt feelings and makes us feel (speaking from experience here) disconnected.
I took your survey and am looking forward to your book.
roger said,
February 29, 2008 at 12:05 pm
INTEGRITY, INTEGRITY, INTEGRITY
If you say it, live it. People will see you have integrity and then they will have respect, faith and every other attachment that is required for a good organization. If you are a do as I say and not as I do leader you will get nowhere
Nathan said,
February 29, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Here it goes dude…takes a deep breath:
Spontaneity, laughter, laughing at yourself, beer, flexibility & change, humility, prayer, multiplication, self-sacrifice, sex with your spouse, honesty & vulnerability, not working 80 hours a week, leaders who vacation together, perspective, silence & solitude a night at an abbey (once every month or two), not working 60 hours a week, not being a nepotist, “going out on a limb,” finding challenges, diversity, more sex, serving others, being accountable to people who aren’t “yes†guys, a good bowel movement, I think every church should make the staff watch The Office each week after “chapelâ€, fighting with every ounce in you against rut behavior, don’t work in a frickin church building all week – go be with normal people, listen, don’t talk about what you’re doing all the time, analogy of the goose and the golden egg…don’t destroy the goose!…
That’s all I got with 5 precious minutes. You have other things on your mind if your blog indicates anything. If other things are on your mind, then that’s probably why you are at a standstill. Stubborn people like to forge ahead. Ha! Maybe work on those other things a bit…go for a walk…go swing at a kid’s playground. IDK.
And I can’t help you write your book because I write in the passive all the time! LOL.
Cheers.
John Ventry said,
February 29, 2008 at 12:19 pm
An attitude of respect. If there is truly respect for each other and for God, that will carry over to how people interact with each other. I think that this is a very big key to a healthy environment.
Becca said,
February 29, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Steve had some really good points.
A healthy environment has within it people who look each other in the eye…A sense of community that is not just a group of people who happen to be in the same building that will leave an hour later to go eat in their own houses. It is an environment where I can look at you, and you can look at me, and we can have a good conversation about something other than the weather, and I walk away knowing more about the Grace of God and that things will be alright if I clutch tighter to His grip.
The optimist in me thinks that the community we see in Acts can be reproduced. Sometimes I believe it can, and other times it cannot–too much jumbles our schedule so that everything is scheduled, nothing is spontaneous anymore.
Anyway.
Like Steve said so well, a healthy environment include those who are willing to go individually to people to ask for help in a particular ministry. “I could have anyone do this, but I want YOU”. Wow.
a healthy environment wafts in the air when priorities are made, set, continually heard and played out. Church growth happens because of those priorities- and ultimately Jesus’ name is heard more.
Dave Anderson said,
February 29, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Fun. I worked for a dot com and one of the things they all did or tried to do was make the environment fun. Free food or drinks, games (video, ping pong), staff parties, etc… It made work=fun
chad said,
February 29, 2008 at 12:30 pm
communication. honesty. community.
Susan said,
February 29, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Figuring out what you’re going to be about. Make it into a sentence. Then all activity is screened through that lens.
Clear expectations. Open, appropriate communication.
The website reference is a document that our church uses. Most people keep it out as a reminder.
Susan said,
February 29, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Oops…the website doesn’t show after all!
http://www.crazychurch.com/Talks/ShowArticle.uplx?ArticleID=271
Brett said,
February 29, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Grace, and lots of it.
Cristy said,
February 29, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I wrote down love, patience, honesty and empathy before I read the comments. It looks like everyone thought “work environment” and I was thinking a little more general.
Anne Jackson said,
February 29, 2008 at 1:50 pm
These are all great. Thanks everyone…Cristy, maybe environments shouldn’t be separated…you’re on the right track…
Keep em coming!
Vince said,
February 29, 2008 at 2:34 pm
My staff are my best friends. We would trip over each other to give our life for the other. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Sure it isn’t the best for productivity because we don’t have the ‘professional’ relationship…but this isn’t just a job is it?
Jason Cole said,
February 29, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I want to completely agree with Lynse. She is right on the money when it comes to a church work environment. Having been on staff where open communication was frowned on, I know its so much better when it is encouraged.
Soliloquy said,
February 29, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Ummmmm… HUMILITY! And a LOT of it. Too many churches go down on the back of PRIDE. And it’s ugggggggly!
Aaron said,
February 29, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I was at an extremely UNhealthy church for 4 years, and have been at a very healthy church for a year.
So, I’m still learning what makes an environment healthy…but I do know what makes one UNhealthy.
A heirarchy that is unwielding and “everyone knows their place”
A lack of “team”
A lack of the ability to laugh.
A lack of the ability to expirement..and fail.
A lack of enjoying the people you work with.
A lack of desire to do something different than you have always done.
A lack of desire to grow..and to help others grow.
I’m still “recovering” from my past environment…:)
mandy said,
February 29, 2008 at 3:26 pm
LOVE.
the kind of love that is not afraid to say the hard things.
the kind of love that will put others’ BEST (not always KNOWN) interests first.
the kind of love that motivates us to get off our holy haunches to go serve someone.
the kind of love that will tear the roof down to get a friend to Jesus.
the kind of love that casts out all fear.
the kind of love that covers a MULTITUDE of sins.
LOVE…. the REAL love.
lory said,
February 29, 2008 at 3:31 pm
bleach…..oh, wait…that actually makes it sterile which may or may not be healthy….
lory said,
February 29, 2008 at 3:38 pm
my real answer is: BACTERIA
i know. but, bacteria is not always the enemy. in fact, if we lived in a world without any bacteria, we would have massive problems….think about the good bacteria on your hand. it helps you fight off the bad, disease wielding bacteria.
in life, if we don’t have some tension we become complacent which might as well be the bad bacteria taking over our lives. tension keeps us in check and keeps us seeking.
Anna Meadows said,
February 29, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Selflessness
David said,
February 29, 2008 at 3:45 pm
A balance of creativity and intellectualness.
and everything else said above.
Chris Baker said,
February 29, 2008 at 3:51 pm
consistency and follow through, not just once, but all the time.
kari said,
February 29, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Based on past experience, one thing: mutual trust.
Justin Dean said,
February 29, 2008 at 4:57 pm
What makes an environment healthy?
Hmmmm! Do you want me to list the fruits of the spirit?
Some other descriptive words that come to mind are, clear and direct purpose statements for each employee, direct lines of accountability, standards and systems to measure and celebrate successes, and the ability to speak your mind behind closed doors and not be crucified for it, just to name a few.
Shannon said,
February 29, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Grace–believers giving each other the benefit of the doubt.
Phil Thompson said,
February 29, 2008 at 5:25 pm
x2 what Vince said, that would be ideal to me!
Tim Irwin said,
February 29, 2008 at 6:08 pm
It’s safe.
Faith said,
February 29, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Anne! I’m praying for you and your book deadline…may God multiply your efforts like the bread and the fishes!
Kate W said,
February 29, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Supportiveness, accountability, and respect, but without judgement.
Sarah said,
March 1, 2008 at 12:00 am
A willingness to be collectively uncomfortable.
What happens otherwise things get stagnant because the question becoming not about growth but about maintaining. The proper environment must be about being open to where God is leading and having faith that God is in the mystery and in past answers.
Hyden said,
March 1, 2008 at 12:47 am
ummm….. freedom to be yourself, challenges to help you grow, people who can fight good and make up quickly, humor… definitely humor… lots of humor…
Scott said,
March 1, 2008 at 12:53 am
GRACE GRACE GRACE.
Sheri said,
March 1, 2008 at 3:42 am
a place where each person feels like they are contributing to an important cause - kingdom work! a place where there is freedom to try new things, innovate, experiment and fail; then learn and try again. a place where spiritual, emotional and professional growth is possible. a place where there is enough trust to have the difficult conversations, then get over it an move on. That’s the kind of place I would like to work in. It isn’t perfect, it can’t be, it’s made up of imperfect human beings (examples above: failure and conflict). Though those things exist the organization is healthy enough to rise above and keep making forward progress toward the mission.
Carol said,
March 1, 2008 at 7:20 am
Communicating…..feedback. One of my husband’s favorite statements (being a Pastor for 35 years) says “People leave their brain at the door when they walk into church.” Hence, their expections are ….let the staff do that…and weariness sets in…for a healthy environment, I would say “Let’s all roll up our sleeves and chip in!” No big I’s and little You’s….ENJOY the process…Also, my husband reminds me of the many, many volunteers and they give their valuable time; so pla–eeezzze send notes of appreciation especially for a healthy environment!
Carol said,
March 1, 2008 at 7:28 am
…..ooops, I forgot….and include a Starbuck’s gift card in the volunteer’s thank you. Even a $5 card would be better than nothing. We need more ENCOURAGERS…COMPLIMENTERS….and POSITIVE SUPPORT as we continue the lifetime of dedicated service! Thanks Anne for letting us voice our care.
Cindy Beall said,
March 1, 2008 at 9:14 am
Healthy people.
Too vague?
WES said,
March 1, 2008 at 11:31 am
Consistent authenticity. If you know the people you work for and with are not acting, but instead, are being who God made them to be, it creates a consistent environment of truthfulness.
Amy Paul said,
March 1, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Communication, community and honesty! Having worked in full-time ministry for more than six years, the leaders I appreciated the most placed a high value on those three things. Open, and honest, communication does not leave much room for misinterpretation or false expectations. A sense of community strengthens the effectiveness of any team. I can’t wait to read your book!
Christa said,
March 1, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I have not had time to read your comments, so this may be repetitive but….AUTHENTICITY is key for me. It must be a place where being who you are is encouraged! Grace must be given and given freely. We must be able to be honest with others and in turn with ourselves. Gentle confrontation is good when it is prayerfully done. Leaders need to set this tone by being open and honest so that others will model this behavior.
Shauna McGee said,
March 2, 2008 at 11:37 pm
All honor and all glory focused toward one…
The One.
When we all focus on that one thing HE becomes the focus and everything else falls into place. We need to get over ourselves. We are noting more than broken vessels and the only way to keep full a broken vessel is to hold it under the faucet.
Jesus Christ is our faucet- It is all about Him , he has many names but this was His last and so….never mind now I’m just rambling. 4 words
all glory to God. Think about what that would truly look like…If we all lived Spirit lead lives and not emotionally charged, ego-centric lives.
Doug said,
March 3, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Strong, visionary, accountable leadership (see Scott Hodge).
Dave said,
March 3, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Freedom.
Nothing cuts of energy and vitality more than people feeling like they aren’t ABLE to venture beyond boundaries. Not in terms of self-satisfaction, or at the expense of others, but if there’s a thought or project they’re heart fancies giving a go, they should feel the collective’s got their back. Even if (especially if) they fail.
On topic (perhaps?) I’ve seen ministries’ velocity shudder to a halt because a poorly executed or perhaps simply ill-fitting idea was criticized to the point of scorn. And the creative, daring people are shut down.
So, yeah… freedom (in my head- yelled in William Wallace fashion).
Cody said,
March 4, 2008 at 11:17 am
I don’t know what makes for a healthy environment, but I don’t think I’m in one. Almost ten months ago I was called to be the pastor of a small rural church. The church has begun to make strides to become more “contemporary”, I hate that word, and they called me because I’m not your typical coat and tie kind of pastor. Now ten months later all the things that I did before they called me, and have done since are no longer what they want. They say there is nothing Biblically wrong with my ministry, but they never really wanted anything different, they guess. The problem is they get to go on doing their lives whether I stay or whether I leave. ( they have not fired me, but it sure feels like it) I however have to move my family yet again and start the job search all over. Not to mention there aren’t very many churches who want to hire a guy who has only been at his last job ten months. Churches fail to realize the impact it has on a pastor and his family. Frankly, I would almost rather get a job at wal-mart and give my family some stability than to stay in ministry. Sometimes I feel like I’m a better follower of Christ when I’m not employed by the church. I don’t know what we should or are going to do, so I appreciate your prays.
David Ballard said,
March 4, 2008 at 1:50 pm
If you look at what we’d regard as “clinically healthy environments” we’d see a sterile, white, anti-bacterialized room - like an operation room. In my short 6 months as a full-fledged, full-time church employee, I’ve learned a lot of things… I’m learning a lot of things… this is a marathon, not a sprint… this is a journey. Our Pastor’s wife says “we’re all coming from somewhere” - meaning we all have our own stuff, filters, lenses, experiences, pre-conceived notions, and ideals that we bring with us into the environment. Maybe we should psychologically do what many cultures do physically and remove our shoes as we enter our environments. This would be to try our best to leave anything that clings to us at the door and be open to the possibility. My favorite quote by Emily Dickenson is “Dwell in Possibility”. If we could try to learn about and be mindful of each other, our various learning styles, the different methods in which we communicate, process information, learn, “get it”, grow… that would be a start to a healthy environment. And, maybe with a little duct tape and lots of plastic… making the conference room a germ-free, hasmat bubble could help too. At least in all those outbreak movies we watch, they have to strip down, and get hosed down before entering. That might be a little weird for a staff meeting, but maybe we should be willing to go that far for a healthy environment. :)