Listening to a teaching from Andy Stanley recently and evaluating not only the size of our ministry but the overall health of the ministry and its leaders I felt compelled to restructure some of the way we do things here. No grand changes really, the bulk of folk won’t even initially realize a shift. Every organization has systems in place. Some systems are built for success and some are built for failure. Steven Furtick worshipped with us last Sunday, he is a pastor at a church in Charlotte. He is doing amazing things in a short amount of time. Thousands of peoples lives are changed because of his leadership and submission to Jesus. However, the thing I love the most about Steven is he put in systems from the beginning to handle growth. I have also seen some churches that hired a bunch of staff, got a praise band and thought that would be enough, that system is designed for failure.
As important as the right system is the right staff, it is just as important. I am a youth pastor of 300 students and over 40 volunteers. Due to our financial situation as a church the only paid staff I have is an amazing ministry assistant. The rest of my “staff” are volunteers.
My staff:
Audra Rheaume – Worship Leader
Bobby Webster – Youth Leader
Alicia Medeiros – Service Coordinator
Cathy Oliver – Small Groups Director
Keeley Stephens – HS Advisor / Pulpit teacher
Rusty Metts – MS Advisor
RJ Grubbs/Andy Macauley – Tech Directors
Beekur – Recreation Director
And I am currently recruiting a Campus Director to oversee my campus ministries and an Outreach Director to insure we are serving and reaching our community.
Hybels says that lack of leadership should be a sin. Leaders we have to do more than simply talk and inspire we must structure our organizations to reach not simply students but entire communities. I am begging God for wisdom, creativity and insight to stretch us as an organization. How are your systems/staffing set up? What have been some victories/struggles you have faced? Let me know.
Sean Rheaume 
It’s awesome to see this list – as a brand new Youth Pastor (transitioned from 6 years of volunteer college ministry) working on establishing a workable system myself I find that list of “Job Titles” very helpful.
I’d be very interested in seeing a short description of each of these roles. Ex. What does your MS Advisor do? And how do the rest of your 40 volunteers fit in?
Thanks,
Justin