Building Team. We all know that the way to build effective, long lasting ministry is with a team. Whether you are leading a small group, planting a house church or a larger expression of the Kingdom, you can accomplish so much more from a team perspective than you can from a singular leadership mentality.
We all know that and even believe the philosophy that goes with the concept, but the reality of building team can sometimes be harder than we are willing to give ourselves to. In reality, we sometimes look at team members as slowing us down, holding us back, asking questions that we as a leader have already thought through, and in reality we are sometimes looking more for the teams affirmation to the decision that we think is obvious than we are in seeing the best decision being made by the team. Am I hitting something here?
If we believe in team, then we need to lead from the perspective that a better decision can be made with the input of the whole team taken into consideration. To be an effective leader of a team there are a number of things that need to be in play. 1) I need to see each member of the team as a vital part of the team and therefore each of their individual input is imperative for the final decision of the team. 2) I need to be secure enough as a leader to have different ones on the team disagree with me and not take it personal. 3) I need to be willing and able to give the team enough communication and information so that they can give input with the same information that is helping me form my thoughts as the leader. 4) I need to create an environment that makes it easy for everyone to share their heart. 5) If necessary, I need to draw out of the team what they are sensing if they are seemly unwilling for whatever reason to share it, 6) I need to believe in the team concept enough to walk through the challenges when not everyone is in agreement. 7) And I need to be willing to make a final decision that is best for the team and the ones that it will impact even though it might not be best for me. (think servant leadership)
James sums it up pretty well in chapter 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. NLT
With all the ways to build, why not do it the most effective and long lasting way with wisdom from above vs. the way that at times seems the easiest. Let’s build the right way even if it is more challenging at times.
Declaring Our Victory Emanuel