Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Leadership Lessons Series: New Start (Staff Health)



Key Verse

“The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. He said to them, “You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.” Mark 6:30-32 WEB

Lesson

Is health important to you? If not, it should be. The health of you and your staff should be near the top of your priority list! If your staff are tired or sick your program will suffer. Employees (or volunteers) who show up when sick is called ‘presnteeism’ and according to Paul Hemp of the Harvard Business Review it can reduce effectiveness and productivity by one-third.1

Ministry is a demanding field that requires hard work and patience. When tired or sick, we lose patience and don’t have as much energy. Jesus understood the importance of staying healthy and resting in order to keep his ministry effective! In Mark 6 we see one example of many in which Jesus took time away from the crowds, from healing the sick, to stay healthy both mentally and physically.

One summer at a camp I worked, at we had an outbreak of Norovirus among the campers and staff. The Health Department came in and assessed the situation. They determined that we had done everything correctly. They allowed us to stay open, however the camp director chose to close the camp for a week and sent all the staff home to make sure everyone was completely well to continue the summer camp program effectively. We were all appreciative!

Make staff health central to your program. Encourage adequate sleep, fluid consumption, limiting excess sugar intake, and hand washing. Promote fitness among your staff if possible. It will boost the endurance and energy of your staff. This is especially beneficial if you work with children! Use the following acronym to help your staff remember the 8 essentials to staying healthy!2


NEW START 

Nutrition 

Exercise 

Water 

Sunshine 

Temperance

Rest 

Air (Fresh)

Trust in God 


Sources

1 Hemp, Paul. "Presenteeism: At Work-But Out of It." Harvard Business Review Oct. 2004: n. pag. Harvard Business Review. 01 Oct. 2004. Web. 19 June 2016. .

2 Noel, Alexandrine. "NEWSTART: GOD'S LAWS OF HEALTH." Alex Web. University of Massachusetts Boston, n.d. Web. 19 June 2016. .

Written By David F. Garner

Photo Credit: David F. Garner