6 Steps to Confront an Uncooperative Teacher in Your Ministry
Have an uncooperative teacher or volunteer in your ministry? Here’s how to know how to confront with grace and love.
The word confront doesn’t mean “open fire!” The first definition in Webster’s New World Dictionary is “to face.” Didn’t Jesus confront sickness? Our Lord faced the difficulties of the day directly. Part of your ministry is to deal honestly with the circumstances around you. This can be done with kindness and courtesy.
Here are six steps to help you move from confrontation to conclusion.
1. Give positive feedback.
We all like to be appreciated and complimented. When you have a situation you must correct or confront, start by pointing out the positives you do see.
Inform a teacher when you hear kids talking positively about her class. When you bump into a teacher after service, let her know you noticed that her room was full of attentive pupils. And if Sundays are, too hectic, consider emailing or texting notes of praise throughout the week.
2. Share your experience, ideas, and feelings.
Explain how your proposed innovation fits into the overall plan or goal. Describe any encounters you’ve had with this particular curriculum.
Talk with commitment and enthusiasm. Spill your hopes freely. Don’t present with hesitation or act as if you expect resistance. Be forthright.
3. Be specific.
Beware of offering vague feedback such as, “This doesn’t seem to be working out.” State why. Coming to the point alleviates confusion, misinterpretation and the temptation to play games. Being clear and upfront is the key to confront someone effectively
Don’t just hope and hint—ask for what you want. For instance, if a teacher is habitually late, explain how this hurts the class. Then tell him exactly when you need him to show up.
If you want a teacher to try a new curriculum, don’t suggest it. Instead, tell her directly. For example: “I appreciate that you don’t think this can work, but I want you to implement it anyway. Let’s evaluate your experience with it after two sessions.”
4. Listen.
Make sure you let your volunteers know you value their input. That doesn’t mean you have to use it, but put genuine effort into hearing and understanding the feedback.
And if it makes sense for your ministry, put some of your volunteers’ input to use. One of your volunteers might have a valuable point. This step can break down defenses when you confront someone.
5. Use writing to clarify communications.
Post job descriptions and goals in an easily accessibly spot, such as on the church website or on a bulletin board. And consider giving praise in writing, too.
And when you need to give feedback, consider this: Take a teacher or volunteer out for coffee and carry along a blank sheet of paper. As the discussion progresses, ask the volunteer to inventory his or her skills and characteristics. What is the volunteer’s strengths? In what areas does he need to grow? Given half a chance, many people confront their own miscues or bad attitudes.
6. Introduce new ideas in small steps.
No one likes receiving a bunch of new information all at once. So present changes one step at a time. And try to explain the “why” behind the changes you make.
Want more volunteer management ideas? Check out these articles!
