Yesterday was Ron Newhouse’s last day on the job at New Covenant. Tuesday was Andy Morrison’s last day. Tuesday the New Covenant staff had a party for Ron and Andy and then we took them out for lunch. Ron has been appointed to a staff position as Associate Minister at the Methodist Church in Graham, Tx. Andy and Katherine moved back to Colorado Springs where Katherine will start graduate studies in counseling. Andy is going to be doing event coordination for Youth Life. Each one of these individuals made a contributions to our lives and to the Kingdom. Ron has done a wonderful job directing Congregational Care here at New Covenant. He has helped direct the work of the Nurture Team (New Covenant Life Team) with Jamie Crouch and Janet Battles. I have appreciated his hard work. Andy and Katherine have been involved in our College and Young Adult ministry and discipleship. Andy lived with us for a year before he and Katherine were married. Andy has also worked with Marvin Nelson in Outreach by delivering "thank you" packages to visitors.
When I was director of Rebound, Inc. in South Carolina I had 141 employees. I expected them to be productive the first day on the job (by productive I mean generating revenue). Church work is different. The economy that we work in is one of relationships. Our productivity has to do with building trust, authenticity, and cooperation. The revenue that is generated is not always easily quantified. It is about helping others live the life God calls us all to live.
I remember one of the first new staff people we hired years ago. It had not been long since I had left the private for profit world of the health care industry. I had an expectation of this new employee that they would start making things happen (being productive) the first day. At about the six month mark my frustration had risen to a boiling point. I called the then not so new employee in for a visit about productivity. I learned a great lesson that day about church work. I explained to her my frustration about her lack of progress and then she gave me an education about the church work environment of limited resources, low commitment, volunteers, no support staff, etc.
I have seen staff come and go at New Covenant. All of them have gone through the first few month feeling confused, frustrated and some disoriented as they learn names, build relationship, recruit help and volunteers and learn the culture of this church. Every church has its own culture and personality just like each individual has a unique personality. It takes time to develop trust and to learn that culture.
We will miss Ron and Andy. I wish them well on their journey of faith. I know wherever they are they will be making a contribution to the kingdom. I truly believe that when God calls someone to leave our staff he already is calling someone to come here and serve. Pray for your church staff. They work hard and they have a God breathed vision for the future of this church. Pray that your church leadership will find those that God is calling to come and serve here. Have a great weekend. AC
There were 14 staff members present and we used St. Eugene's Episcopal Church for the retreat.
