“You cannot build a great team without great players,” says John Maxwell, Christian leadership coach. He’s right. And when it comes to the church leadership team of a local church, the maxim could not be more true…or more necessary. Great players are imperative in order to have a great church. But recognizing that we are all fallible human beings, with past stains and present foibles–how do we do it? Sharefaith wants to provide you not only the best media tools available, but also some tips for cultivating a ministry team–a close-knit team–that is a benefit, not a bane, to the Kingdom.
Realize your part in God’s grand program. God’s Kingdom is so much bigger than your church, your city, your denomination, or your particular sphere of Christianity. Before you can focus on the small picture–your particular team context–it helps to grasp the big picture. Looking at it like concentric circles is one way of doing this. There is the biggest picture, that of God’s kingdom spanning eternity past to eternity future. His dominion, His Sovereignty, and His ultimate victory are firmly established. There is the context of the Church invisible–all the Christians past, present, and future, which comprise God’s Kingdom. There is the circle of present-day faithful–the millions from every nation, tribe, and tongue who form the church on earth today. The Christians of your particular country form another circle. The Christians of your city or district form another. Finally, we get to a smaller concentric circle–the one where you faithfully labor with a select few. If you accurately understand your part in a much bigger picture, you have taken the first important step in having a powerful, close-knit ministry team.
Realize your interdependence. You can’t do it without your ministry team. God has placed each team member there for a reason. Take a moment to understand what each team member is responsible for, and cultivate a gratitude for the work they do. In fact, you may just want to tell them “thanks for doing what you do,” next time you see them. A close-knit team is one that works with each member doing his or her part, understanding of the integration and essential nature of one another.
Cultivate Collaboration. A leadership team seeks the input of other members. After all, a leadership team is a group of people that leads–not an autocracy. Although roles and relative authority may vary from member to member, the principle remains the same. You need these people to lead. No, they are not perfect. Yes, they make mistakes. However, decisions arrived at by the group are decisions that have better reception by the assembly. Decisions arrived at by the group are more likely to be implemented by the team as a whole. Decisions arrived at by the group may take longer, but they also last longer. In order to make decisions as a group, collaboration is essential. Collaborate on big decisions and small decisions. Collaboration takes time, but collaboration will tie your team together in a unity that contributes to effectiveness.
Focus on your own character as a team player. The best way to be a better team member, leader, father, mother, Sunday School teacher, pastor, media director, or whatever, is to be a better Christian. Your ministry team will become more close-knit as you personally become more Christlike. Read God’s Word. Meditate on it. Obey it. Regularly ask God to forgive your sins. Spend time forging your relationship with Him. Contemplate His majesty, His love, His grace, His wrath, His mercy, His power. Ask Him to change you to become the person He wants you to be. As you draw closer to God and develop a likeness to Jesus, everything changes–even something like the close-knit nature of your ministry team.
(In addition to a close-knit ministry team, you need the power of a media library that helps you to communicate with effectiveness and relevance. Find out how Sharefaith’s resource may be able to help you in your ministry.)