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1. Responsibilities clearly defined.  Does the staff member know what is expected of him or her and what it takes to accomplish those duties?
2. Authority given to carry out those responsibilities.  Is the individual in the learning process?  Do they need more or less involvement from you?  Where are they in the coaching process? I do, you watch; we do together; you do, I watch; or you do and come to me when you need help.
3. Accountability to provide integrity in performance.  What happens if the staff member does a good job?  A poor job?

Job Descriptions

A key component in helping an individual understand their responsibilities and be effective in ministry is to have a well written job description (Appendix A5).  Job descriptions clarify expectations and give a guideline for providing effective accountability and job satisfaction.  In a business environment or even an office environment, it might appear more black and white; the organization has a need and writes a job description detailing what is required to fill that need.  A ministry job description is a little different.  A ministry job description looks at, “what will this person be paid to do as a vocation”.  Donors are giving to enable this individual to be employed in vocational ministry.  As such, a well written job description also demonstrates integrity to Reliant donors.

A job description also provides the “objectives” for the annual performance evaluation.  As you meet with each staff member periodically to discuss how they are doing in their role, it is your opportunity to speak into each area in which they have responsibilities.  These discussions are then summarized at the end of the performance cycle within the performance evaluation.

Tips for writing a job description:

Job Title:  A job title should be a mini job description, and should give a general idea of what the majority of the job entails.  Examples include, Home group Coach, Worship Leader, Church Administrator.  Often a staff member will have multiple roles so a more general job description may be more appropriate such as Campus Director or something more inclusive of their various roles.

Position Description: This section, typically found at the top of the job description, summarizes the overall purpose and functions of the job. Consisting of four or five sentences, it should briefly set out the main purposes and functions of the job. Because it is a mini version of the job description as a whole, the Position Description may be easier to write after the other sections of the job description are complete.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:  This section, usually following the Position Description should contain five to seven key statements (for full-time roles) that itemize the primary duties or essential functions of the job. Duties should be presented in a logical order and include information regarding the frequency or percentage of time spent on each task.

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Reporting Relationships:  This should include who the position reports to as well as any other positions that report to the listed position.

Position Requirements:  If the position has any specific requirements such as education or ability, they should be listed here; for example, ability to play guitar (for church guitarist) or ability to use Quicken (for church finance position).

Sample Job Duties:

1. Facilitate (home, life, cell)group (frequency – monthly, weekly)
   1. Prepare for meeting time (teaching, worship, prayer)
   2. Coach group apprentice (frequency)
   3. Hang out with 2 or 3 individuals from the group each week
      1. Pray together
      2. Read word together/Bible study
2. Counsel or shepherd church members
   1. Provide Biblical perspective
   2. Evaluate progress of member 
3. Actively participate in evangelism/outreach
   1. Walk through our church’s evangelism program with 1 individual per program
   2. Share on campus # hours/week/month etc.
   3. Be involved in consistent relationship with 1-2 unbelievers a semester (for example)
4. Lead worship for main service
   1. Set worship program for large group worship
   2. Lead worship team practices
   3. Disciple members of worship team through one-on-one times
   4. Work with (who - pastor or Sunday Coordinator) to schedule flow of service
5. Handle/Track/Manage church finances
   1. Collect tithes (frequency)
   2. Handle accounts payable for the church each month in a timely manner
   3. Send giving reports to members each (frequency)
6. Organize special events
   1. Locates and secures location for event
   2. Coordinates food and or materials as required
   3. Facilitates communication for those involved in the event and those invited to the event

Management/Leadership

Effective coaching involves ongoing, honest, two-way communication.  It also involves consistent and well written documentation. 

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