Case Study Are Two Heads Better than One? Richard Doebler Help for handling a conflict between key leaders. See "Working in Team Ministry" Training Pack

Store Code: CS02-C 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:	Proverbs 18:15, Proverbs 25:11
Date Added:	July 31, 2007
share this page

The Case
Crest Falls Assembly hired two part-time children's directors, Sue and Cindy, to co-direct the growing children's program. Their roles in the Christian education department were defined carefully—Sue would handle preschool, and Cindy would handle elementary. When their functions overlapped, they would combine their efforts, and both would answer to Phil, the associate pastor.

Sue and Cindy's personality differences soon led to problems. Cindy was driven to excel while Sue worked in a more relaxed mode.

"Sue won't carry her share of the load," Cindy complained to Phil. "She's big on talk but doesn't get things done." Cindy spent hours preparing only to see Sue show up barely in time for an event.

Sue saw things differently. "I'm getting paid for only 25 hours a week," she said with a shrug. Sue didn't feel obligated to work extra hours without pay just because Cindy did.

Phil suspected Sue, who spent hours building relationships with her workers, could work more efficiently. But his guess was that no matter what he said, Sue would remain unmotivated while Cindy would always push for more.

What Would You Do?
• If you were Phil, what would you say to Cindy?
• Would it help if Phil pronounced one director right and the other wrong? Why or why not?

What Happened
Phil used a personality assessment to help both women understand themselves better, but he still had to deal with the problem.

Phil listened as Cindy vented her frustrations, a process that helped her gain perspective. She also learned that to lower her expectations for Sue wasn't compromising her work ethic—as long as Phil wouldn't hold her liable for Sue's unfinished assignments.

Phil challenged Sue to spend her work hours more wisely. "We don't need you as a counselor," he said. "We need you doing those things that most benefit the children's ministry." Sue began to let go of less productive activities and adjusted her work style.

Together Cindy and Sue distributed assignments more evenly, dividing them so they could work independently. One teachers' workshop, for example, would be Cindy's responsibility alone, allowing her to do her best without begrudging Sue's lack of involvement. The next workshop would be Sue's, allowing her to work at her pace without feeling pressured by Cindy The tension in their relationship diminished, and Phil's role as mediator eventually shrank.

Discuss
1. Can teams function with two leaders in charge?

2. What's the best way to reconfigure job assignments to reflect personality needs without demoralizing the staff?

Average Rating: Not yet rated

---

Submit Your Rating and Review:

Choose star rating: Low 1 2 3 4 5 High Be sure to click SUBMIT when finished
Name:
Comments:	1000 character limit

Ministry to Women
Face the unique challenges of developing a ministry for women.

Creating Community
Cultivate the skills that will help your congregation develop community.

See More Downloads

---

The Micro Church
Should small groups be smaller?

Want-to, Can-do Workers
Turning your church into a place where people serve willingly and well.

See More Articles

Login

Join now | Forgot password?

	Building Church Leaders (weekly)
	Small Groups (weekly)
	Leadership Weekly

 RSS Feed | Help

• Leith Anderson
• Gordon MacDonald
• Reggie McNeal
• Ruth Haley Barton
• Sue Mallory

Sponsored by Tyndale

• Hit Me With Your Best Shot
• Review: The Blue Parakeet, Part 1
• Attachment Disorder Churches

• Bond or Bust
• Five Signposts of a Healthy Church
• Radical Gratitude