By Mark Satterfield
You should develop a rhythm for church staff meetings. These staff meetings may occur weekly, twice a month, or monthly and last about two hours. It really depends on your church staff’s size and your church’s context. What’s most important is establishing a framework for the meeting. Doing so helps your team know what to expect, how to prepare, and helps you make the most of your time together.
Here are seven things to consider for your church staff meeting agenda.
1. Celebrate success stories.
As I lead church staff, I am a big proponent of celebrating gospel stories of what God is going in the life of our church. As leaders, our tendency is often to go straight to critiquing, so carve out time to celebrate what God is doing in your church as you meet with your team.
2. Focus on mission, strategy, and goals.
Continually set these things in front of your team to be sure everyone is in alignment with your mission, strategy, and goals for the year.
3. Provide a devotion, training, or leadership talk.
This time doesn’t necessarily need to be led by you. Use it as an opportunity to bring in someone from outside your church or rotate the responsibility to members of your team.
4. Ministry area updates
Set the expectation with your ministry leaders in advance so they know how much time they have and can come prepared to share. These updates also ensure each ministry is in alignment with your mission, strategy, and goals.
5. Review the calendar.
Make sure that everyone is on the same page with things going on in the life of your church, but don’t allow this review to dominate the entirety of your conversation.
6. Pray
I think it’s important for your team to have an extended prayer time together. Depending on your church staff’s size, you may pray as a large group or in smaller groups. Spend time praying for one another and for your church.
7. Fellowship
Wrap your meeting by getting coffee or eating a meal. This time allows your team to bond and fellowship together and often is best facilitated around a table with food.
Consider these elements for establishing a rhythm and framework for your church staff meetings.
For additional meeting tips and downloadable templates, check out Mark’s Leading Church Staff courses on Ministry Grid.
