Case Study Can You Discipline a Volunteer? Mathew Woodley Holding a problem worker accountable. See "Working in Team Ministry" Training Pack

Store Code: CS02-A Format(s): Microsoft Word Type: Case Study Price: $0.00

Topics:	Accountability, Church discipline, Church staff, Conflict, Decision making, Fellowship, Leadership, Volunteers
Filters:	Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Management, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 18:15-20, James 4:11-12
Date Added:	July 31, 2007
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The Case
Jenny Patricks served as a Sunday-school teacher, junior-choir leader, gospel-choir director, coordinator for our church auction, and a blur of other positions. Busy, creative, talented, energetic—Jenny did it all. Unfortunately, Jenny was also controlling, huffy, explosive, and hypersensitive, especially when criticized. As a result, she often stomped on the feelings of other church members.

For a few years, everyone tiptoed around Jenny's abrasive but fragile personality.

"After all," we reasoned, "she is doing such a wonderful ministry for our church" (and she was). Besides, her in-laws were powerful, dedicated, longtime members of our church. As time went by, however, more people were quietly gossiping or mumbling about Jenny's destructive "servanthood."

What Would You Do?
• What are the dangers of not confronting Jenny?
• What are the dangers of confronting her?
• Who should confront her, if anyone?

What Happened
Our pastor-parish committee began discussing the problem—honestly and confidentially. Jenny had wounded nearly everyone in the room, but we worked hard to avoid a "trash Jenny" discussion. We prayed for the welfare of the church and Jenny's soul.

After much discussion, we resolved to follow the pattern in Matthew 18, dealing gently but directly with the situation. Our committee decided the pastor should talk to Jenny first. After only a few sentences from the pastor, however, Jenny flew into a rage, stomped out of the church, resigned from every position, and then called our pastor-parish committee to complain about the "worst pastor this church has ever had."

Our committee members didn't waffle; they supported the pastor, quietly explaining to Jenny why we felt it was necessary to confront her. Although the experience was unpleasant, the committee actually felt tremendous relief that someone finally spoke up. Neither Jenny nor her in-laws left the church.

Discuss
1. At what point should church leaders intervene with a volunteer? What are the indicators the damage can't be ignored any longer?

2. What is the biblical pattern for dealing with a destructive volunteer? How does Matthew 18 work in this situation?

3. How do we determine who confronts a destructive volunteer?

4. How well do we hold volunteers accountable?

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