Efficency

[Esoteric]

So I have a question. I am a very efficient worker. I believe in taking lunches and breaks, but I also believe in really pushing through while you are working.

Does anyone else have a problem with churches being very lackadaisical in their work habits? This happens at almost every church I have been on staff at. There is a lot of talking that goes on, two hour lunches, and things take forever to get done (and I am a union guy!). Anyone else have this issue with churches?

Mike

[petereit]

80/20 rule. 80% of people eventually discover that their employer will accept 20% efficiency. The other 20% of the people are self-motivated and end up doing 80% of the work (which most of the 80%ers will also gladly take credit for).

Human nature. You just learn to deal with it and move on.

[Esoteric]

Yeah, I guess out in the professional world (at least in IATSE and in the design world) those 80% don't usually work very long. That and Stewards keep everyone on task and get the job done on time.

The lack of urgency kills me.

I think it has also cost me some positions in churches because people see me as "stand offish" because I show up to work to work, not to socialize. Sure I will chat here and there when I am holding a ladder or during my 30 minute lunch. I am a prolific story teller during my 15 minute breaks. But if there is work to be done people need to be working more than talking. My dad taught me that and his dad taught it to him.

Drives me nuts when I go in to do work with a church and a job that is supposed to take 3-4 hours ends up taking until 10:00PM and they look at me concerned when 5:00PM gets there and I am out the door (or when my next appointment comes up and I have to leave) and everything is not done.

/rant

Thanks for listening!

Mike

[KeckCreative]

Efficient work is good. 80/20 rule is all too prevalent. Church is (or should be) about relationships, with God, with each other. If people are standing around gossiping, that's not good. But, there may be something else going on that may actually be considered more important than speediness (i.e. fellowship and discipleship). Sometimes the non-secular world approach to work doesn't always nor should it be applied to the secular world. But again it is worth saying: Efficient work is good. 80/20 rule is all too prevalent.

[Esoteric]

I am all for fellowship.

I guess the problem is that you can't expect to get 4 hours worth of work done in 4 hours if you are going to "fellowship" while you work (which to me isn't even real fellowship). Why not fellowship after work, when everything is done?

Otherwise don't be shocked when the bill comes for a 5 hour quote that ended up taking 12 hours (or when I was on staff, don't be shocked when a 5 hour project doesn't get done because people were "fellowshipping").

Mike