Feb
8
2012

Panic! At the Pharmacy, or It IS Your Fault

An article by Matt

Yesterday afternoon I went to the local pharmacy to pick up a prescription. Being the beginning of the year, and all the changes in health insurance, it was a little hectic, and communication between the pharmacists and the counter staff were a little strained. While searching for my prescription there was a little bit of heated dialogue between the two groups, and no one seemed to know where my items were. I was told by a lady with the gentleness of a bulldog to stand off to the side (with a building crowd) until they could track down my prescription. I watched as this scene replayed itself at least three or four times… and then as a customer was given the wrong prescription because of a communication snafu.

It was at this point that I was summoned back to the counter and informed that one of my prescriptions would be delayed until 5:00pm. It was at this point that the bulldog lady looked me in the eyes and said “you understand that it isn’t us, right? This isn’t OUR (the counter staff’s) fault.”

But it is.

As a customer of this establishment I honestly don’t care if the employees are having a squabble, or are stressed out because of computer difficulties. I am just wanting to get my prescription filled accurately, be treated pleasantly, and be sent on my way quickly. When these things don’t happen, I don’t blame the pharmacist or the counter staff… I blame the pharmacy. When things breakdown in my pursuit of my prescriptions, I don’t leave the store thinking bad thoughts about the pharmacist or the counter staff… I think bad thoughts about the pharmacy.

Ministry is a people business and as such it is messy. Things will not always work, and there will be tension at times. Anyone who says different is selling something. The secret to successfully navigating the trials of ministry is being graceful in the midst of the mess. Youth pastors blaming senior pastors, senior pastors blaming worship pastors, or worship pastors blaming the sound guy (it somehow always ends up being the sound guy’s fault) is not leadership: it is selfishness. As a church leader, as a part of a church’s staff team, part of your job is to support the rest of the team… not throw them under the bus. If you are unable to support the team on which you are serving, it may be time to reevaluate whether you are serving on the right team.

How does YOUR church manage crisis in ministry?