Courageous Leadership; Chapter 4, Building a Kingdom Dream Team

I like the three "C's" presented in this chapter and wonder how we measure for these. The idea is that there are three characteristics that we should bear in mind when we are hiring church employees. The first is Character. I had an employee that we thought was doing a great job. We later found out he was providing smut videos to teenage boys. How do we check for it ahead of time. I'd like to believe it is possible, but in a world of litigation it may not be. I could call references and former employers, but they would likely be cagey with their answers. "Yes he worked for us." "No, she wasn't fired." Beyond that employers these days just can't say much. I suppose you could get permission to ask former pastors, current friends, or friends in other locations. This is one that is just going to be difficult to assess.
When it comes to discerning the character of volunteers in positions of leadership I ask three things. (1) Are they worshipping regularly. Inevitably someone will nominate a person for a position who isn't regular in their worship. The reasoning is that if they were leading they would have more interest in attending. I'm from Missouri. "Show Me" that you have an active faith and then I'll know something of your character. The second is (2) a record of regular giving. I wouldn't want a member of a board of directors for a company in which I'm invested to be making decisions that affect my investment if they are not vested themselves. The final is (3) they are in a learning situation. Whether it is a small group, bible study, Sunday school, or other discipling ministry, people need to be continually learning to be followers of Christ.
The other two characteristics of leaders are Competence and Chemistry. Competence has some measurable attributes, but again, chemistry is a bit more elusive. Hybels quotes another by saying "never invite a person onto my team who doesn't have a positive emotional effect on me the minute he or she walks into my office." (p.84) I know that I have hired people in the past who made me a bit uncomfortable and regretted it. I long for the day that a person really knocks my socks off in an interview so that I can hire them.