Yesterday, I talked about how our Lead Pastor is taking a few weeks off next month for his summer study break. I talked about reasons and benefits to his doing this, and today I thought I’d share a number of ways I think you as a staff member can help make this a great, productive, beneficial time for him.
Some ways to help:
- Pray! Pray that he really rests and takes his minds off the day-to-day of the church. It’s important that he really recharges his batteries. Pray that he really connects with God- this is SO important. I can tell you that Scott is leading the way he thinks God is leading- so I and the rest of the staff NEED him to connect with God during this time. I’m praying and trusting that he will.
- Think of ways to pick up the slack… over the next few weeks, I’m going to look for ways I can pick up the slack around the office and in our teams so he doesn’t have to worry about it. Are there little things you can do that will save your leader from worrying about them? Look for them and take care of it! This obviously depends on your role and job description, but everyone can pitch in even in little ways that make a big difference in the leader’s ability to disconnect from the day-to-day, trusting that things are being executed well in his absence.
- Leave him alone! It’s all too tempting to make little issues seem like big issues that need to be solved by the senior leader, but in reality, most things he doesn’t need to be bothered with. Before you pick up the phone or type an email, ask yourself this question: “Is this issue something serious enough that it’s worth interrupting the potential rhythm of rest and refreshment my senior leader is having?” If it’s not, don’t do it! (let me give you a little tip based on experience: there’s very little worth this interruption). Wait until he’s back or see if someone else on staff can help you. Most things that in the moment feel like a crisis end up being minimal.
- Be a buffer. When people in the church come up to you and say, “Can you get in touch with so and so, it’s really important?” run interference and keep unimportant stuff from causing an interruption to your senior leader’s important time away. See the above, leave him alone.
- Get ahead. It’s natural when the “boss” is around to have a million little things you are doing. While he’s away, take the slightly lighter pace and get caught up but take it a step farther and get ahead. What upcoming events can you work on now? What things in the church (painting a room, cleaning carpets, etc) can you ensure get completed? Get ahead so there is room in your schedule to respond to the things your leader feels God wants the team to respond to in the upcoming year.
- LEAD! He needs you to lead. It’s your church and your responsibility too, so step up and when you see things that need to be done, do them and lead out!
- As a staff, think of creative ways to welcome your leader back when he returns from break! This might include getting a gift card to a nice restaurant and offering to babysit, hanging a banner, getting a card or Starbucks gift card, etc. Be creative!
What things can you think of that would help your senior leader have a great, productive time off? If you’re a senior leader, I’d love it if you’d chime in here with some things that help you during your time away.
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