How to Properly Steward Your Church Staff

When Loyalty Becomes a Liability: Stewarding People Through Seasons of Change Todd and Tom Lane discuss how church leaders can build loyal teams without manipulating people or confusing loyalty to a leader with loyalty to God’s purpose. They argue that calling staff “family” can create unhealthy expectations and pressure, while a team mindset better supports seasonal assignments and open-handed leadership. Tom emphasizes stewarding, not controlling, developing people beyond the positions leaders need filled, and having faith that God will provide when transitions happen. He shares stories about a youth pastor who sensed he was aging out and a CPA whose performance improved after a direct conversation, highlighting the need for timely, clear, kind feedback. They also warn against coping mechanisms like avoidance, illustrating with a special-needs ministry situation where counseling addressed deeper issues. They conclude that loyalty is virtuous until it protects what God is trying to change.