The Importance of Vetting Church or Ministry Employees
It mattered in Paul’s day, and it matters today…
They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
1 Timothy 3:10
In the days of the early church, growth wasn’t easy. Keep in mind Christianity was still outlawed, and in parts of the Roman empire, Christian gatherings were limited or forced underground. In cases like that you’d think anyone who wanted to serve in leadership would be welcomed. After all, not everyone was willing to take the risk, so let’s bring in whoever we can.
But apparently, that wasn’t Paul’s thinking at all, and yet that faulty idea still persists today. Especially with church plants or smaller churches, the attitude is often “Let’s welcome anyone we can get, and if they show up regularly and exhibit a little enthusiasm, let’s make them a volunteer, a deacon, or better yet, put them on staff.”
But even in the early days when it was difficult to grow the Church, Paul’s advice to Timothy wasn’t to welcome everyone; it was to test them first. Ask around. Talk to people. Find out their past. And if there was nothing against them, only then could they serve as deacons.
There’s a sad joke in the Church today that we hire quickly and fire slowly. We’ll take anyone who shows an interest and move them up the ladder – qualified, vetted, or not. And once we find out, they’re not the right fit or worse – we take forever to let them go.
That may be a significant factor in all the incompetence, financial embezzlement, and sexual abuse situations we’re seeing among church staff these days. Obviously, there are hundreds of thousands of serious, godly, and dedicated staff members at churches and ministries around the world. However, a quick look at the headlines over the last few years indicates a significant number of volunteers and employees who haven’t been vetted well.
Paul’s advice to Timothy worked then, and it will work now. The stakes are high, and it’s time to raise the bar when it comes to recruiting volunteers and teams to share the gospel with the world.
For more information about why this matters, check out my book: “Church on Trial: How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission, and Reputation During a Crisis.”
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
