Articles . Michael Catt . Volume 02 | Issue 04

Seven Deadly Sins of a Church Staff

The following is not so much an article but my notes for a recent presentation with our church staff. It’s part of a leadership seminar I’m working on. If you are a pastor, you might find something you identify with. If you are a staff member, read carefully. You may not agree with all of it, but you need to take it before the Lord. Having served as a staff member for fifteen years prior to pastoring, I can see where I (and others) fell into one or more of these traps. In the next few weeks, I’ll be working on an article entitled ‘The Seven Deadly Sins of a Pastor.’ Since I’m now a pastor, I feel it’s important that, as a pastor, I look in the mirror as well.

I. PRAYERLESSNESS.

  1. Talking about prayer but not praying.
  2. Telling others to do something you aren’t doing yourself.
  3. Starting a ministry without having a Word from God.
  4. Continuing a ministry when you don’t have a Word from God.

A DIVIDED HEART.

  1. There’s one vision/ one mission in a church. Only agenda is the one given to the pastor. Joshua’s agenda was tied to Moses, the disciples to Jesus, Elisha to Elijah, Timothy to Paul, etc.
  2. Looking to your future and sacrificing the present.
  3. Clamoring for attention, recognition, perks, time with the pastor or praise of men instead of serving to the glory of God.
  4. The “I KNOW BETTER” spirit. Also known as the “If I were pastor, I would…” attitude.

III. LACK OF SACRIFICE/ LAZINESS.

  1. Letting laymen outstrip you in sacrifice, service.
  2. Being clock-eyed – thinking the ministry is a 40 hour week. We’re on call 24 hours a day.
  3. An unwillingness to do the “and then some…”
  4. An attitude or spirit that complains or murmurs when asked to do “whatever it takes…”
  5. An unwillingness to step up to the plate and talk about tough issues with your people. An inability to say, without question, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord…” (especially in areas like giving, pledges, etc.) – expecting the pastor to carry the day while you sit in the shade and applaud.

IV. BAGGAGE.

  1. Not acting, living like a “new creation” in Christ. This is a denial of the life changing power of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit.
  2. Not forgiving or forgetting.
  3. An unwillingness to look in the mirror and see what God sees. When we fail to do so, we walk around with baggage everyone sees but us.

V. NO TEAM SPIRIT.

  1. Not seeing the Big Picture, only seeing your area.
  2. An unwillingness to serve another staff member.
  3. Pulling rank, seniority, tenure – thinking that longevity or titles make you exempt.
  4. Dumping your work on others because you are unwilling to do it. Dumping and delegating are poles apart.

VI. LUST/ JEALOUSY/ENVY.

  1. Over an office, position, furniture, platform time, etc.
  2. Not guarding your heart when you are around the opposite sex.
  3. Any lack of self discipline when you are on the Internet.

VII. MINISTRY IN THE FLESH.

  1. Depending on your talents instead of the Spirit.
  2. Falling back on what you are good at instead of letting God stretch you.
  3. Trusting your talents and skills to the extent that you fail to pray it through.
  4. Thinking, “this church is sure lucky to have me” instead of, “I’m blessed to be here.”
  5. Any agenda, goal, plan or dream that is not birthed in Scripture, confirmed by the Spirit and affirmed by the pastor will be nothing more than wood, hay and stubble. God, not man, initiates ministry.

©2002 MCC This article is copyrighted by the author and is for your individual use.
Reproduction for any other purpose is governed by copyright laws and is strictly prohibited.