Imagine being left in the woods and told to complete a trail before the end of the day because the welfare of your family depends on it.  No other details provided. What is the end destination?  What supplies do you need?  Who do you call for help?

Unfortunately, we sometimes put staff members in similar situations.  They are hired to fill a title but have no clear idea of what is expected of them.  They wind up heading away from your church vision and under performing because there are no clearly defined expectations.

This can lead to frustration and conflict for you and staff members.  It can also result in them losing their job, mainly because they were never really told what their job was.  They failed because no one defined what success should be.

Everyone on your team should have a clear job description. It gives them the best chance to succeed.  It’s not fair to assume they will figure it out

Job descriptions are important for several reasons, both for the church and its staff.  Here are some of the main benefits:

1. Clear Expectations and Accountability

Defines Roles and Responsibilities: Job descriptions provide clarity on what is expected of each employee. They outline specific duties, which helps employees understand their primary responsibilities and avoid confusion.

Accountability: With clear guidelines in place, church leaders and employees can more easily hold each other accountable for meeting specific goals and performing certain tasks.  You can’t enforce what you haven’t defined.

2. Attracting the Right Talent

Recruitment: A well-written job description helps attract candidates with the right skills, experience, and values. It allows the church to be specific about the type of person they’re looking for, making recruitment more effective

3. Performance Management and Development

Measurement of Performance: With well-defined responsibilities, job descriptions serve as a basis for performance evaluations. Employees and managers can measure job performance against the listed expectations.

Identifying Growth Areas: They also help identify potential gaps in skill or performance, allowing for professional development and training to improve efficiency and morale.

4. Supporting Organizational Structure

Clarifies Reporting Relationships: Job descriptions help employees understand their position in the organizational hierarchy, who they report to, and how they fit into the broader team.

Promotes Effective Communication: With clear roles and responsibilities, communication within the church staff becomes more efficient. Employees know who to approach for specific matters, reducing confusion and fostering collaboration.

5. Minimizing Conflict

Clarifying Boundaries: In churches, where roles can sometimes overlap due to the nature of ministry work, job descriptions help set boundaries and reduce potential conflicts over job duties. For instance, they help prevent misunderstandings between pastors, ministry leaders, and administrative staff.

Conflict Resolution: When disputes arise regarding job duties or performance, the job description serves as a reference point for resolving issues fairly and objectively.

Give each of your team members a clear map towards success with a well written job description.  Use them to provide clarity, foster accountability, support personal and organizational development, and contribute to a well-run church environment.   You can’t expect them to follow a trail that you haven’t marked.