Today, we're thrilled to welcome Victoria Mupwaya of Miracle Life Family Church and the Rhema Bible Training Center in Lusaka, Zambia, who will share her insights on building a flourishing culture through effective leadership and healthy board governance.
Listen to the Audio
Listen in Apple Podcasts | Listen in Spotify | Listen in Google Podcasts
In this episode:
Growth and Impact of Miracle Life Family Church and Rhema Bible Training Center
- Victoria highlights significant growth in the church and training center, including:
- Increase in Sunday attendance from 17 people in 1998 to 3,700-4,000. (02:59)
- Substantial participation of children, with numbers exceeding 1,000. (03:22)
- Graduates from Rhema Bible Training Center: 997 from 94 different churches, with over 100 becoming pastors. (03:33)
- The church's building campaign, including new facilities for various age groups. (04:28)
Leadership and Succession Planning
- Importance of leadership succession and growth of associate pastors. (06:10)
- Leadership was tested when senior pastors were away due to illness. (06:24)
- Success in managing the church during senior pastors' absence and identifying growth areas. (06:53)
Adapting to Challenges and Changes
- Adapting to COVID-19 impacts and transitioning to remote and hybrid work models. (07:24)
- Challenging and evolving work culture and systems, focusing on performance and output over hours worked. (08:21)
Commitment to Employee Engagement
- Miracle Life’s involvement in the Employee Engagement Survey with Best Christian Workplaces for over 7 years. (09:03)
- Improvements and certification as a Best Christian Workplace for four years. (09:15)
- Use of survey results to address problems and improve management practices. (10:06)
- Emphasis on continuous improvement and pursuit of excellence. (11:15)
Benefits of Employee Engagement Surveys
- Setting benchmarks and measuring improvements over time. (13:33)
- Building trust, transparency, and a positive work environment. (14:06)
- Lowering turnover and enhancing employee health and satisfaction. (16:10)
- Becoming an employer of choice and attracting talent. (16:37)
Experiences in Employee Engagement in the Marketplace
- Victoria’s experience with employee engagement at Barclays Bank. (17:44)
- Importance of collective efforts, stakeholder engagement, and focus-group discussions. (19:44)
- Holistic approach to employee engagement throughout the employee life cycle. (20:34)
Similarities and Differences in Employee Engagement in Marketplace vs. Ministry Settings
- Similarities:
- Pursuit of structured policies, learning, growth, and strategic planning. (23:09)
- Discomfort with managing conflict and underperformance. (24:57)
- Differences:
- Robust reward and compensation policies in the marketplace. (25:48)
- Ministry settings requiring a culture of excellence and accountability aligned with Colossians 3:23-24. (26:09)
Embracing Structure and Policies
- Victoria notes that the church has embraced structure, standard operating procedures, and benchmarks. (29:33)
- There is a common understanding among employees about the need for order and standards. (29:46)
Board Governance and Responsibilities
- The board sets the tone for human resource practices through effective recruitment and performance management of the CEO. (30:59)
- The board supports senior pastors by ensuring clarity in their responsibilities and reflecting changing demands. (31:27)
- Emphasis on continuous performance conversations and capacity building. (32:07)
Support for Leadership Team
- The board ensures a holistic approach, including wellness, medical reviews, rest, fair compensation, and benefits. (33:25)
- Importance of having sabbaticals and annual leave to prevent burnout among pastors. (34:00)
Empowerment and Organizational Culture
- Board members actively participate in various church ministries to understand the organization beyond the boardroom. (35:37)
- Ensuring greater autonomy and real-time decision-making by the management. (36:47)
- Emphasis on mentoring and professional development, with board members providing direct support and resources to staff. (37:21)
Challenges in Building a Flourishing Workplace Culture
- Different levels of managerial competence and the need for consistent growth. (39:31)
- Continuous coaching and mentoring to help every employee. (39:35)
- Importance of tough conversations, honesty, correction, and accountability. (39:59)
Common Threads in Employee Engagement Across Cultures
- Purpose-driven work and clarity on roles. (41:20)
- Confidence and trust in authentic leadership. (41:45)
- Opportunities for development and career growth. (41:55)
- Effective organizational communication. (42:22)
- Recognition and reward, including both positive and negative feedback. (42:51)
Unique Aspects of Employee Engagement in Zambia
- Emphasis on relational aspects and authentic relationships. (43:48)
- Trust in leadership and the importance of maintaining relationships. (43:55)
Appreciation and Future Goals
- Victoria expresses gratitude for the partnership with Best Christian Workplaces Institute and looks forward to continued improvements. (46:20)
- Al emphasizes the importance of strengthening the local church and spreading the Good News through excellence and leadership. (46:39)
Read the Transcript
Read a complete, word-for-word transcript of the episode
FOLLOW OUR HOST
Follow our Host, Al Lopus, on LinkedIn & Twitter.
Email our host at al@workplaces.org