Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Hiring Staff

When a staff position is created or opens up at Crossroads, we are very intentional about finding the right person to fit the position.
1. A detailed job description is created.
2. A Search Team is formed (usually an Elder, a staff member or two, and several lay people involved in the area of ministry are part of the team).
3. The Search Team "searches"--collects resumes and interviews potential candidates for the position.
4. A recommendation is brought to the Board of Elders.
5. The Elders interview the candidate and make a decision to hire them or bring them to the congregation for the final decision.

When does the congregation make the call? According to our constitution, when Senior level staff are hired. In the current hires, James Racine is working under Jake Kerschner and is not Senior staff, and Terry Foss (candidate for Associate Worship Pastor...yet to be decided) will be working under Ryan Lunceford and will not need congregational buy in.

Sometimes we do a nationwide search (Terry Foss) and other times our search doesn't go outside the walls of our church (James Racine). Our goal is to ALWAYS first discern whether or not someone from within Crossroads can fill the open position. We love to hire from within--that person knows us and we know them. They "bleed" our DNA. If we don't have an insider that fits the position, we go outside.

Here's what we look for always:
Chemistry: do they fit on our team?
Character: are they mature in their faith and manifest the fruit of God's Spirit?
Competency: are they able to perform the duties of the job well?

As Senior Pastor, I always have a voice in the process. After 23 years of being a lead pastor, I realize how important it is to get the right people "on the bus and in the right seats." We take hiring very seriously.

That's the process. If you have any comments or questions, blog away.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

More Staff Transitions

Last night the Board of Elders agreed to hire James Racine to a 1-year interim position as Sr. High Pastor. James came in as the recommended candidate from the Search Team. James has grown up in our "system" and has our DNA all over him. He's been involved serving in the ministry and is the natural candidate to step in and fill James Brown's shoes.

Why a 1-year interim position? Because of James' inexperience and age. The 1-year period will be a time for James to be groomed and mentored by our staff. We fully anticipate that James will grow and shine and prove himself during this year.

We heard from many of our students saying, "You guys better hire James Racine!" After interviewing him, we agreed!

How does Crossroads hire staff? What's the process? I'll address that in my next blog.

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