If you have people who only become serious when the pastor is watching, I wouldn’t start by embarrassing them or calling them unserious. I would first ask why they have developed that habit. Maybe they have learned to work for approval, maybe they don’t really understand the responsibility they’ve been given, or maybe the church has unintentionally created a culture where people only feel accountable when the pastor is present.
Have a conversation with them. Let them know that ministry is not a performance for the pastor. Paul says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). That means your standard shouldn’t change because the pastor walked into the room.
Then give them real ownership. Don’t just tell them what to do; give them responsibility, explain what is expected, and follow up even when you weren’t there to watch them. The goal is not to create workers who behave because the pastor is watching. The goal is to raise people who can be trusted to do what is right even when nobody is watching.
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