T,T,T,Team Ministry

Lately through the blowing winds in the forest of ministry in VO you can hear the sounds of plateaued leaders saying, “Let’s do team ministry.” It seems like people are starting to figure out that the day of the one man show is over. We are entering into a day where ministry is shared, decisions are collaborative, ideas do not just belong to the upper-eschelon. No. Team is in full motion.  But here is the question? How are teams being activated? What is the leaders function over a team? How do I know if I am really doing team ministry or not? I want to share:

Listen, here is what team ministry is not:

1. Team ministry is not people sitting in rows looking at the team leader. It is people sitting in circles looking at each other. A staff meeting is not a church service or leadership training. A team meeting is a discussion with a desired outcome set by the team leader.

2. Team ministry is not appointing people to responsibilities or appointing someone to a position and saying, “You are a part of the team, brother.” True team ministry is: Sharing the authority, resources, time, influence and a whole bunch of other stuff. Team ministry is everyone functioning on the same level. Team members have some decision making power.

3. Team ministry does not have a label like “Richard’s team”, “John’s team” “Kobe’s team”. A true team is bigger than the leader. Remember, we don’t play for the name on the back, we play for the name on the front.

4. Team ministry is not led by hierarchy but by accountability. Each team member must have a responsibility, and each team member must produce. Including the team leader. So called, teams that are run by seniority usually struggle with production. Age is a factor in any teams production. But if a leader is still able to produce, then a team can be powerful and effective. Oh yeah, and preaching doesn’t count.

Elevate.

Tags: Church, church growth, Jesus, leader, leadership, ministry, Pastor, struggles, team