Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
We are approaching another year’s end and anticipating all that God has in store for the next.
As churches make their final plans for next year, policy should be part of the plans.
Policies and Procedures
Churches memorialize policies and procedures to ensure that all who work within a process follow the same guidance.
For instance, your church may have a procedure for integrating new members through a membership class.
The policies and procedures that employees or volunteers use within this process help ensure consistency in how new members are treated and what information is shared with them.
Within this are decisions for doing things in a certain way to ensure a seamless process, stewardship of resources, and ensuring safety for all.
Why Is It Important To Explain Policies?
Policies and procedures help ensure excellence in managing and facilitating all that a church does.
For instance, some churches host outreach programs within their community. These types of programs require church policy.
There may be a policy for screening volunteers, training volunteers, or how the program is administered. Each of these separate procedures can have a significant impact on the success of the program.
Use The Pulpet For General Communication
I visited a church where the pastor gave a great sermon explaining why the church does some of the things it does.
I worked on a church staff for ten years and could relate to his presentation as he explained why some things are done and appealed to members to support church volunteers and employees.
He gave specific examples, like doing background checks on volunteers who work with kids and youth to keep their kids safe.
He also explained to the parents why the check-in process was so important and that they should appreciate workers who won’t hand their kids off to someone without the parent card.
The pastor did a great job supporting efforts to keep the kids and church members safe with scripture.
The explanation was not threatening and easy to understand. I’m sure some people were enlightened in the service.
As I listened to this message, I thought of 3 reasons why church leadership has a responsibility to its members to explain the why behind some internal policies and procedures.
1. Complete Transparency
A church comprises church leadership, employees, volunteers, and members.
Each has a role to play in making church happen.
Members tithe on their income to support church operations, volunteers give of their time, and employees facilitate the process.
Being open and sharing information with each group keeps everyone on the same page and eliminates skepticism because of a lack of information.
For instance, your church may have a cash-handling policy. The intent of the policy and procedure is to ensure that church funds are cared for and protected from possible embezzlement.
While some procedures can be cumbersome, explaining the why behind a policy helps to ensure that those working within the process understand the importance of following outlined procedures.
2. Training
When leadership shares information about internal operations, they are, in essence, training church members on not only how something is done but also why.
Members who understand the why are more apt to embrace new systems and processes.
For example, a safeguard in children’s church is a well-known “two-worker” rule.
This rule ensures that no one is alone with a child at any time. This simple rule eliminates the opportunity for someone who might take advantage of a vulnerable child if left alone.
3. Support Employees and Volunteers
Employees and volunteers do the work of the ministry and are the ones who take the brunt of members who challenge internal processes and procedures.
For instance, an usher may be responsible for keeping an eye on unfamiliar people who enter the building to ensure safety in the church.
When they are supported from the pulpit, their jobs become easier because they don’t always have to be the bad guy and enforce what they have been trained to do.
When someone comes out of a church service where the pastor explained something about a church policy, they will be less likely to challenge those people serving.
The Why Is Important
Working through our day-to-day responsibilities, we often forget that members and volunteers don’t always understand why things are done or why decisions are made about internal operations.
Taking the time to explain the why through effective church communications can not only enlighten the members but, more importantly, support volunteers and employees.
Do you take the time to explain church policy as it relates to your internal processes?
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