Essentials Part 10: Proper Slotting

Ministry Growth Essentials thus far:

1. Healthy at the core.
2. High quality, low complexity.
3. Prayed up.
4. Outreach (evangelism) is indispensable.
5. Leadership is a privilege.
6. Positive Traditions

7. This week's Essential: 

Proper Slotting

Recently I spent some time with a highly talented ministry person. Unfortunately her position was not a good "fit" for her. 

We agreed that she could gut it out for a couple of years before a change was needed . . . 

Place people in the right slot and they're unstoppable.

Place them in the wrong slot and they're un-unstoppable. 

Indeed. They stop themselves.

Three reasons for improper slotting

(I believe this applies to volunteers as well as professionals.)

• Fill a need. This is OK for awhile. A stop-gap measure, however.
• Lack of self-knowledge. Sometimes you get into your 30s before figuring this out. Maybe even your 50s!
• Organizational insensitivity. The ministry puts you in the wrong slot and thinks it's OK. 

Signs of being in the wrong slot:

• Tired all the time. Can't seem to get fully rested.
• Job feels like learned behavior. Not natural.
• Ministry results are so-so or worse.
• For the professional: Demarcation between work time and personal time is clear and highly valued. 

Signs of being in the right slot:

• Work/voluntering is fun, rewarding. Not just the results but the actual practice.
• Work/volunteering seems to flow out of you in a natural way. Results are generally positive.
• Sure, you get tired. But recovery time is fairly fast.
• For the professional: Demarcation between work and personal life can be blurry and isn't that important to you (which can be problematic in its own way).

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Whole ministries can thrive or struggle, depending on the slotting of a few key people.