I’ve long wondered about how to know who to hire in ministry, or why I got hired for some positions. Some people have lots of credentials, experience, etc., and don’t pan out in terms of what they were hired for. Others lack those things and go on to do a great job.
Malcolm Gladwell gives a great talk at the New Yorker Conference on the challenges of hiring in the modern world, so click on this link to watch the video. (HT: Guy Kawasaki)
He didn’t say it, but maybe the problem is that we hire based on our notions of living in a modern world, when really we live in a very postmodern, glocal one.
His basic premise is: The world has changed, but how we hire hasn’t.
He tells great antedotes from the world of sports and how those who score at the top at the football combines (as well as other sports), don’t often go on to do well, and vice-versa. And he talks about the practice of hiring teachers.
There is no specific formula of how to hire in a changing world. A person’s success in a job has to be projected into the future by a number of criteria.
What Is Important for Hiring for Ministry Positions? (I know positions differ, but speaking generally)
Spiritual life? (prayer, fruit of the spirit, etc.)
Theological Degree?
Experience?
Ordained?
Personality?
Leadership?
Resume?
References?
Etc?
What are you looking for?
Or why were you told they hired you?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Rhett, these are great points regarding hiring, but always remember the heart. Look for passion for the task at hand. I’d rather have someone I have to stand in front of and hold back at times than someone I always have to get behind and push.
Andy:
Good point. Someone just the other day…someone told me that they would rather have someone who took risks and didn’t always ask questions, even if they made the wrong decisions…rather than always having to push that person.
rhett
I watched the whole Malcolm Gladwell “New Yorker” video…really interesting! I love Tipping Point too…I’m a fan…I keep remembering how he said that a group drastically changes when you grow to over 125 people! Things start to go haywire and people gossip and are more disconnected (or something like that?).
While he was talking, I kept thinking of the movie “Rudy”….love that movie. Rudy is basically the guy you want on your team, (all heart and drive)…but doesn’t meet one criteria for a good player.
Love the connection to the church and hiring staff members.
On another note…we’ll miss you Rhett…you are awesome and I am grateful that we can stay connected in twitterville and stuff…
Syd
As you’re obviously familiar with, BAP’s college ministry had to ask themselves this very question. What do we want in a leader?
Personally, I don’t care if they are ordained, or have a degree. Although theological classes give us GREAT insight on Christianity and all its facets, being a leader has less to do with academics and more to do with being as much like Jesus as possible. I would want a leader who radiated the characterics and heart of Christ. Someone just being around would make me want to be better. A person (note: male or female) who was led and mentored themselves so they could entail mentor the student leaders, who would mentor the small groups.
Additionally, experience is definitely a requirement. Somewho who know how to run an organization. I’ve had bosses who are GREAT people but when it comes to organizing people and events, they just couldn’t do it. So they need both a heart, mind and soul for God as well as the organizational knowledge to see their brillant visions to fruition.
Before I heard from The Inn up in Seattle, I got a call from the college ministry in Bolder, CO. They said that while I was more than qualified, they knew my heart was in Seattle. I’m pretty sure they spoke with The Inn staff, who told them I thought God was going to use me in Washington. So I think that it needs to be assessed where someone already feels called, not just who wants who in whose ministry.
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