Requirements for Promotion

In Nehemiah 7:2, Nehemiah appoints his brother Hanani over Jerusalem once the walls are rebuilt "for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many." Hanani proved himself over time and he had a reputation of a God-fearing man. Consequently, he was promoted. And these two things are exactly what we look for at New Day before promoting someone into a high level of influence within the church (or before hiring someone on staff). We don't just appoint/hire people to influential positions before they've proven themselves in lesser tasks and demonstrated a sincere love for God.

Every single one of our staff (Rachel, Peter, Bethany, Lester, Tracey) volunteered in roles of lesser responsibility before coming on staff. Why? They needed to prove themselves faithful in little before being entrusted with more. This is the bibilical pattern. Luke 16:10 says "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."

And each one of our staff (before they became staff) proved their heart for God (and the things of God) through their faithful attendance, through their dedicated service and through through their generous giving. You might ask how their giving proves their heart for God? Matthew 6:21 says "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." There are certain positions of service that are not available to non-givers at New Day. Why? Because we don't want people serving in high levels of influence if we aren't sure their heart is invested in the work we are doing.

So when you're looking to promote one of your volunteers, you have to first ask yourself two questions: 1) Have they been faithful? If they haven't been faithful in little, don't entrust them with more. If they haven't been faithful in little, paying them won't change anything. Don't even consider paying someone if they haven't been faithful. They are not staff material. Past performance is the best indicator of future success. If they haven't done well in the small responsibilities they had, they won't be successful with greater resonsibilities. 2) Do they have a reputation as a God-fearing person? Do they demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in their life (Galatians 5:22)? Are they kind and patient with others (1 Corinthians 13:1)? Do they faithfully attend church (Hebrews 10:25)? Do they talk about the things of God? Matthew 12:34 says "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." When they talk about the things of God, that's an indicator of what's in their heart. And if they are being hired on staff or put in an influential volunteer role we also must ask "Are they givers TO NEW DAY CHURCH?" Again, someone will develop a heart for whatever they give to. We want peoples hearts to be invested in New Day, so it's not good enough to be a giver - one must be a giver TO NEW DAY CHURCH.

If you'll make your criteria 1) They must be faithful and 2) They must really love God, you'll make much better promotions.