Unity is Tough, Individualism is Rough

As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew in numbers. ~ Acts 16:4-5

Most of us have, at one time or another, struggled with receiving direction from others. But look at the results mentioned in the above scripture.

The pull to resist unity leads to a rough existence not only for the individual resisting direction but also for those who are forced to choose which individual is "right." Stress and negativity build up in the leader resisting direction; the effectiveness of that leader is damaged beyond the specific circumstance; and the good intended by all is weakened.

In Matthew 12:7, Jesus warns the Pharisees with a quote from Hosea 6:6: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Jesus is referring to the Pharisees insistence on individuals following the law according to their interpretation. They didn't like this new guy in town changing the way they did things.

Just as God desires mercy over sacrifice, I believe He also desires unity over individual success. That relieves us of relying on our own understanding of God's will.

Assuming the direction given by others is Biblically based, which would you rather do, be united with others or stand out for individual success?

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ~ John 17:23

Don't get me wrong. There are times God calls individuals to stand apart. But that is a rough road. To succeed in his kingdom, God will not leave you alone. Elijah felt alone but God revealed otherwise. (See 1 Kings 17-19) Notice that when he felt alone, he got alone until he received clear direction from God.

For more of my thoughts on working as a team, read Team Development Part 2 - Your Spot in the Big Picture.

How to be a Great Cell Group Coach by Joel Comiskey

When the pastoral coordinator offered this book, I thought it was just another book on how to lead a small group. No, this one is for those who Coach or oversee small groups. Great little sidebar tips, insights, and strategies. Very practical.

Strategies include "How to Encourage Cell Leaders" and "Reasons to Ask Questions" which both give not only guide in what to do but point out the intent of each task.

The first part of the book addresses the "habits" of the Coach - things you do for the group leaders. The last part of the book looks at the issues of being a coach - authority, diagnosing problems, visiting the groups, coaching meetings, and, my favorite, the coaching stages.

I've already applied the concepts from this book as I prepared a training session for leaders in my care in a para-church organization. I'll give it a 4 1/2 out of 5 star rating and recommend it for those new to coaching or in the middle level of supervising ministry.

The Master Plan of Evangelism

"Evangelism is not an optional accessory to our life. It is the heartbeat of all that we are called to be and do. ...With this purpose clearly in focus, everything which is done and said has glorious fulfillment of God's redemptive purpose...." ~ Robert E. Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism

The Master Plan of Evangelism has been an interesting book. At first, I was skeptical because the author seems to say "Jesus came only to show his disciples how to evangelize. That's all there is to it and there is no other way of seeing it." I don't generally continue reading books written in that tone. However, the book was a class assignment. So I read on.

It took five chapters before I began to let down my guard and see that Coleman has some good points. Although I'm not convinced that his perspective of this being the only intention of Jesus, the concepts for growing others through mentoring relationships are appropriate whether you are training someone for ministry, marketplace, or your favorite hobby.

The difference is summed up in the above quote. For the Christ follower, passing along our experience is not an option.

The class facilitator offered this encouragement, we don't have to know a lot, we need only pass on what we do know. That knowledge comes from spending time in the presence of God. Passing it on happens by intentionally being involved in the life of the one(s) being "trained."

I would recommend this book for a leader who struggles with the important task of preparing someone to step into her role. Also for the Christ follower who needs guidance in the command of Christ to "go and make disciples." You can skip the three pages of "Words of Commendation", the "Forward," "Introduction," and "Preface." They seem to be a bit boastful which didn't help my skepticism.

Team Development Part 5 ~ Healthy Team Meetings

Throughout this series we have looked at your individual role on the team; your ministry’s role in the bigger picture; designing the team; and placing people on the team. Now it is time to talk about how we keep the team moving in the right direction.

Previous articles in this series

Team Development Part 1 - Praying for Clarity of Your Purpose

Team Development Part 2 – Your Spot in the Big Picture

Team Development Part 3 – Flipping the Org Chart

Team Development Part 4 – Work with What you Have

Every team meeting will look different based on the personalities and visions of the leaders. But below are a few elements I have discovered as essential to healthy team meetings.

Healthy Individuals

The words of the old hymn “if one has a heartache, we all shed a tear” fully applies at this point. Either you or a designated “shepherd” should be in touch with team members regularly. Keep personal struggles away from team meetings. Bringing silent heartache into a team meeting will affect the entire team. Team members need to be authentic but caution the women against using ministry as an escape from family or other personal struggles. Seeking godly counsel and prayer support for personal issues outside of ministry team meetings allows the team to focus and function as a healthy united body.

Prayer

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ~ James 1:5

God-awesome results start with prayer. Pray as you plan the meeting. Pray for God to make himself known as you begin the meeting. Pray anytime the discussion seems to get tense or off track during the meeting. Pray as you end that God would release his power through your everyday life and ministry.

Consider including a “Prayer Warrior” on your team whose role is simply to pray quietly throughout the entire meeting. Encourage her to intercede for each subject being discussed with the invitation to interrupt and take the group to prayer any time a spirit of disunity or frustration is sensed. Some prayer warriors may choose to have a prayer team which gathers at the same time but in a different room from the ministry team.

Agenda

Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:40

A team meeting is a gathering of gifts intended to function together as one body. The agenda helps everyone move in the same direction at the same pace. Use the agenda as a guide but it doesn’t have to be confining. If you need to break away from the agenda, don’t be afraid to do so. Make sure it is the Holy Spirit - rather than dominate personalities, fears, or appearance of crisis - taking you into unknown territories.

Use the agenda to cast vision and remind everyone of dependence on God’s leadership. Divide your agenda according to various aspects of your ministry vision or goals (i.e. evangelism, spiritual growth, outreach, etc.). Or use headers such as “What God has Done” to hear reports on recent ministry events and activities; “What God is Doing” for the discussion of current projects and ministries recently started; and “Where God is Leading” to introduce new subjects. In all these areas, be sure to include life-changing answers to prayer.

Leadership Development

Use team meetings to develop leadership skills. When the discussion is in a specific team member’s area of ministry, let her lead the discussion. Before you interject with your thoughts remember this Steven Covey quote, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Ask questions of the team member to help her paint a verbal picture of her God-given passion. This will give her confidence in her ability to lead and inspire the rest of the team as they see her enthusiasm grow.

End with Expectation

End on time! Summarize any unfinished discussions and confirm assignments, tasks, and information needed for the next meeting. Have a time of silent reflection allowing God’s peace to settle on the meeting before a few words in a closing prayer time. Create some type of unique team bonding for your departure – a group hug, team huddle with a “yeah God” shout – something that makes you feel like a healthy smiling team, anxious to see what God will do as a result of this meeting.

Team Development Part 4

Work with What you Have

Do you have big dreams, visions maybe, for the potential growth of the women in your church? But when you share those dreams, you receive only blank stares and no volunteers. That doesn’t necessarily mean those dreams are not from God.

Previous articles in this series

Team Development Part 1 - Praying for Clarity of Your Purpose

Team Development Part 2 – Your Spot in the Big Picture

Team Development Part 3 – Flipping the Org Chart

For the visionary developing a team, “a day is like a thousand years” takes on new meaning. If God has given you the vision, why isn’t everyone jumping for the chance to be part of this great plan?

Change is generally exciting for the visionary. Not so for everyone else. But change is inevitable and visionaries are the ones cutting the path. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This is the mindset of a visionary.

Even so, we can’t create that path alone. I love the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. This is just after his display of confidence against the prophets of Baal in which he greatly impressed King Ahab. Queen Jezebel, on the other hand, was not impressed. She planned Elijah’s death.

In chapter 19, Elijah is crying out to God “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” God proceeds to show Elijah his power along with his protection and asks Elijah again, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Elijah, impressed by God’s power but now turning his thoughts back to his circumstances, cries out again “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

From there, God gives Elijah direct instructions and assures him that he is not alone. Let me assure you, you are not alone. God has not manifested his power in your midst without plans to carry out the vision he has given you.

Look around you. Who is God bringing into your path? Instead of trying to make them fit the idea you have for God’s vision or, even worse, rejecting them because they don’t fit, take time to get to know them. What gifts has he given them? How does God want them to participate in this adventure with you?

Be a leader, not a task master, and watch God blaze even greater trails before you.

Rich Minds, Rich Rewards E-Newsletter / What are you most grateful for?

I heard Valorie Burton speak at a conferenece in May 2005 and have been reading her e-newsletter ever since. Click here to read Burton's life coaching for this week, Week #47: What are you most grateful for? November 19, 2007

Team Development - Part 3

Flipping the Organizational Chart

If you’ve missed the first two parts of this series, you can read them by clicking the links below:

Team Development Part 1 - Praying for Clarity of Your Purpose

Team Development Part 2 – Your Spot in the Big Picture

Flipping the Organizational Chart is more of a mindset than an action. But, it is an essential part of establishing a team that has a strong foundation. It is also helpful to get this picture so that you can cast the vision of where the ministry is actually happening.

The traditional organizational chart places the leaders over those they lead. In this picture, you have the ministry dangling from the grip of leaders. I suggest you view leadership from a different perspective.

Picture a garden. A seed is planted. A root system then develops to nourish the flowers, fruits, or vegetables. God has planted you to develop a team that will feed a ministry and bloom into a beautiful garden for his glory. The produce from this garden will nourish a multitude because many seeds will be carried to other gardens.

Are you losing your grip on the ministries you oversee? It’s much easier to support from below ground. Letting go allows others to grow up to their potential in Christ instead of depending on your strength to hold them in place.

Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.
Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

Team Development - Part 2

Your Spot in the Big Picture

In Team Development Part 1 we sought out our individual calling/purpose in our role as a team leader. Now it’s time to take that piece of the puzzle and figure out where it fits within the bigger picture. Why has God called you to this particular church or organization? How will your role connect your area of responsibility to the rest of the picture?

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2

Before you begin building a team, you need to be clear on the vision for the full body of Christ within your church and you need to be comfortable with what part God is calling your team to play in that bigger vision. Don’t expect the leaders of the bigger picture to tell you your role. You need to be able to tell them what God is calling you to do so that all of you are moving in the same direction with Christ.

Here’s a bit of my philosophy of women’s ministry. I picture women’s ministry as somewhat of a service station along the highway. To be fully effective as part of the church Jesus prayed for in John 17:20-23, women’s ministry cannot be viewed as a separate entity from the rest of the church. God calls us to be united, not segmented. Therefore, women’s ministry should always aim at meeting the unique needs of women so that they can better function in the full body of Christ.

The church where I served as volunteer women’s ministry director had an exciting vision to be a church for those who were turned off by traditional churches. As with most churches in that era, they had the three letters that represented the various aspects of ministry. Basically those areas in any church relate to introducing Christ, discipleship, and getting involved. The twist for this church was to make the message of Christ hit the needs of people who wanted more than to be known as someone who attended church. (Yes, this church was located in the Bible belt where that mattered.) Many, including me, had a history of being skeptical or disenchanted with church. They still had questions but wanted answers that go beyond what I call “Sunday school answers.”

The task for our women’s ministry, then, was to anticipate the unique questions women ask in each of the areas of finding Christ, discipleship and getting involved? You can adjust the question to fit the unique vision of your organization and your team. The point is to focus on what God is doing in the lives of those around you then allow God to use you to blend your specific ministry into this bigger picture.

Here are some ideas for finding your ministry’s spot in the bigger picture:

• Read the mission statement for the church.
• Discuss the vision with those who are most directly involved in determining the direction for the church. They may not call it a vision. You may want to word it this way, “If everything goes as you expect, describe the people that will make up this congregation a year from now, five years from now, ten years from now?”
• Develop a relationship with the decision makers. Even if you are a volunteer, create a plan to meet regularly one-on-one with the staff position responsible for your ministry. Keep this person informed of what is going on and what dreams you have for the ministry. Find out what dreams he has for his bigger area of responsibility. What would he like to see happen in your area of ministry? Pray with this person each time you meet.
• Be an observer. Ask God to open your eyes to what he is doing in your church. Who are the women in your church? What God-potential do you see in them?
• Listen as an advocate. If you were the typical women in your church (not a leader), what questions, thoughts or actions would the weekend message stir in you?
• Put it on paper. Either in words or with a picture, show how your ministry fits in the bigger picture. This may be parallel list showing each of the areas of ministry then a column showing how the church meets that need and another column showing how women’s ministry meets a unique need of women in that same area.

Don’t expect instant change. If you are leading an area with a long history, don’t be discouraged by the slow pace. God will lead you in the specifics day by day. As the leader, he has given you the joy of a glimpse of the big picture. Remember the leaders of the Old Testament listed in Hebrews 11 – Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ parents, Moses, Joshua and Israel, Rahab and many more.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40

Next month we’ll look at the organizational chart and how it serves as a lure in casting vision.

Team Development - Part 1

Praying for Clarity of Your Purpose

For the sake of this column we will assume that you already have a daily routine of meeting with God for personal growth and guidance. If not, please talk to a spiritual mentor about exciting ways to seek God according to your personality.

You know the emergency instructions reviewed each time you board an airplane. If the cabin pressure changes, those little toy-looking air masks will drop down. If you are traveling with someone who needs assistance, who gets air first? YOU! Why? Because you can’t help anyone if you pass out.

The same concept applies to Team Development. You cannot assist others in understanding their role on the team without first establishing clarity of your role.

Your individual purpose is, most likely, not the same as the vision or purpose for the ministry itself.

For example, when I was a volunteer women’s ministry director in a church with weekend attendance of 1700, the stated purpose of the women’s ministry was:

to assist women in getting to know God in such a way that
their daily life becomes a divine experience

The role of the women’s ministry director was:

To encourage the women God calls to the team
to use their giftedness as He desires

Alone, I could not assist a large number of women in getting to know God. However, I could encourage a team of gifted women called by God according to the gifts he placed in me.

Seek God’s guidance with these questions to help you clarify your role.

• What unique passion, gifts and/or desires has God given you for leading a team?
• Are you a big-picture motivating leader or an in-the-details working leader?
• How can you best assist others in their giftedness?
• What does God want to teach you in this experience?
• Have you noticed a specific scripture or recurring topic in your quiet times?

Staying focused on your individual purpose will allow others to respond to God’s calling on their life. This brings about unity and it provides clarity for the world to see the Body of Christ at work.

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:23

Articles to Come:
Team Development – Part 2: Your Ministry’s Spot in the Big Picture
Team Development – Part 3: Flip the Organizational Chart
Team Development – Part 4: Work with What You Have
Team Development – Part 5: Healthy Team Meetings

Mission or Ministry

Who is influencing your decisions? In our desire to minister to the mass we often focus more on the mission than the ministry. This applies to the work place as well as volunteer work. The definition of minister is to give help to somebody in need. Mission refers to a particular task given to a person or group to carry out.

It is human nature to want to help someone in need. The difference for the Christ follower is why we are helping. Is it for the comfort of the individual in need? That is not a bad reason to help. But the Christ follower has a greater cause. That cause is to bring glory to God.

As a ministry leader, people like to give me their opinions of what we should be doing. Since I am somewhat rebellious and more of a people irritator than a people pleaser, I can easily brush off suggestions. This isn’t necessarily a good thing. God sometimes uses the voices of others to guide us in his will.

Whether you are managing a data center or leading women’s ministry, to experience life to its fullest our ultimate influencer must be God. It is not a matter of getting it from God first. It is a matter of spending time alone with God where you can hear and recognize his voice. You can then test the spirit and confirm that God is the influencer by knowing that your decision will in some way (perhaps beyond your full understanding) bring glory to God.

God has given our women’s ministry the mission to function in a non-traditional way. It is our desire to address only the unique needs of women in order to assist them in finding their place in the full body of Christ. This requires careful evaluation of every thought and how we carry out ideas. Without God's influence on every decision, we will easily slip into the traditional ways that are familiar.

Many women enjoy the traditional role of women’s ministry. There is certainly a place for separating women out from the men to encourage and build up that portion of the body of Christ in ways that only woman to woman relationships can. But are we ministering under God’s influence or are we accomplishing a mission to provide pleasure for women based on tradition?

God’s ministry will ultimately unite the body of true believers and bring glory to his name. When we allow God to influence our ministry, we can trust that he will guide us where we need to be. We don’t need to spend time fretting over whether or not we are meeting the needs and desires of every single person we come in contact with.

It is ok that we, as individuals or as a portion of the body, do not meet the perceived needs of everyone. The full body of Christ, influenced by God and for God, will meet the true needs according to God’s will when we seek first the kingdom of God and not the comfort of man.

The next time someone offers you a suggestion for your ministry or you are struggling with issues at work, allow God to be the influencer of your decisions. Then, whatever you are doing, whether in word or in deed, you will be ministering for God’s glory and not to accomplish man’s mission.