Before you remove a leader:
a. Have a conversation with your supervisor. Tell him what you’re planning to tell the person. Ask for advice, coaching and prayer. Don’t make important decisions in isolation. Get a second opinion. Supervisor support is crucial since backlash is likely.
b. Be in prayer.
c. Have strong evidence and anecdotal illustrations to support your decision.
d. Confront problem youth workers about specific issues before removing them. (See chapter 5 for help on this.) It may be an issue related to attitude, performance or team fit. Be honest. Tell the person you need to see specific changes (tell them what) or else you may ask them to step away from the ministry. Tell them you’ll give them a month to see changes. During this time, check their pulse regarding their commitment. I’ve found that some people will confess, “I’m just not into it anymore.” Give them the opportunity to step aside gracefully.
e. Set a date to meet and review again in a month.
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When you remove leaders:
a. Be tender but strong. Grace and truth are needed when having this difficult conversation. Grace says, “I care about you.” Truth says, “You’re not working out in this ministry, and here’s why … .”
b. Don’t beat around the bush. Be clear. “Sandy, things haven’t changed since our last meeting, and I would like to ask you to step away from the youth ministry for a season.” The season can be six months, a year, two years, the rest of the 21st century. It doesn’t need to be decided right away.
c. Don’t ask the person to stay until you find another leader. Think through that ahead of time. Be ready to accept the responsibilities the person will leave behind.
After you have removed them:
a. Immediately following the meeting, spend time alone. Review, reflect and pray. Do some activity in which you can relax and express the emotions you have. I’m always so stressed before the meeting and so relieved after the meeting that my emotions are very tender.
b. Follow up with a letter. Tell the person that you’re thankful for their period of service and that you’re sorry things didn’t work out and that you’ll be praying for peace and reconciliation.
c. Don’t avoid the person.
d. If it’s appropriate, offer the person’s name to another ministry in the church.
e. Expect some people to be angry. This is natural, and it can take time to heal.
f. Talk about the meeting with a trusted friend, your mentor or another youth worker who can relate to what you’ve gone though.
g. Don’t obsess over it. You made the right decision. Move on. Lead your team. Hopefully, it will be a long time before you do it again. Oh yeah … you’ll have to do it again some day.
Two lifesavers:
1. A signed commitment.
We establish standards by having leaders sign a commitment each year, me included. Each leader agrees to attitude, direction, participation, unity and certain lifestyle standards that go with the commitment.
As we sign these commitments (during our first leader’s meeting of the new school year), I say something like, “My prayer is that everyone here will outlast me as a youth worker at this church. I want to be honest, though, and let you know that I will be candid with you if I feel like you’re not living up to your commitment, and I’ll ask you to make changes.” The clearer your expectations are from the beginning, the easier the removal conversation will be.
2. Periodic reviews.
A few times a year, meet with leaders individually to discuss their attitudes, performances and fit with the team.
When reviews are frequent, it’s easier to address potential trouble before it gets out of hand. If things are going well, the review is a great opportunity to affirm the leader.
