In my years of consulting with both churches and non-profit organizations I have come to the conclusion that the single greatest indicator of the organization's health is the health and culture of the staff. When the culture of the staff is healthy, the rest of the organization is usually healthy. When there is dysfunction at the staff level, that is likely to be mirrored in the congregation. 

When I have been asked help to solve issues in a local church, the first thing I do is to interview all staff. What I learn there is usually the key indicator of why there are issues within the church. Some of the typical dysfunctions at the staff level (when the staff culture is not healthy) include the following. 

• Leaders who are threatened by others, must have their own way and create an atmosphere where candid conversation is not safe or invited.
• Leaders who operate out of ego and pride and don't build a collegial atmosphere where everyone's contribution is valued.
• Leaders who micromanage their staff, leaving staff feeling unappreciated and unempowered.
• Gossip and subtle power groups on staff.
• A lack of cooperation between staff and departments.
• Politics, silos and turf wars to quote Lencioni.
• A fundamental lack of trust.
• A lack of missional alignment where various leaders or staff travel in their own direction.
• A lack of clarity around the direction and vision of the church.
• A culture where the feeding and development of staff is lacking.
• The inability or unwillingness to deal with staff who are no longer effective in their roles.
• A culture that is agenda driven rather than Jesus driven.