Have you ever worked on a team with cohesive teamwork and unity? You were able to disagree in a manner that didn’t cause division. You were clear on your vision, mission, values, and strategy. You had trust for other team members, no fear of criticism, and were free to be creative and thrive. And it blessed your whole church. That’s what a “dream team” looks like!
Conversely, you may have worked on a team that had ongoing conflict. The pattern included regular disagreement, lack of trust/respect, constant fear of criticism, and unwillingness to risk sharing innovative ideas. The church struggled to grow and thrive. That sounds more like a nightmare!
We all desire to be on a dream team when we serve the Lord and His church. How do we get there?
By God’s design, there are differing personalities on every church staff or leadership team. The big question is – how do we relate to each other in the way God desires so He can build a dream team instead of having a nightmare? I believe how we handle those differences makes all the difference.
According to Rodney Cox, author of Leading from Your Strengths, the manner we choose to handle differences will launch us on either the pathway to HOPE or DESPAIR.
If we choose to see differences as undesirable weaknesses, we are launched on a path to judgment, isolation, and the death of relationships. However, when we see our differences as God’s desire and design, we can value each team member, have unity, and be empowered to experience Christ’s life in our team relationships. In addition, the church family is encouraged to believe that it is truly possible to live in unity with each other.
The key is UNDERSTANDING that our differences in personality/temperament are not there to COMPETE, but to COMPLETE each other in the Body of Christ.
For years I have studied this phenomenon with paid staff and volunteer church leadership teams. When we just hope for the best, we usually get the worst. It seems that human nature takes over and inevitably derails our best hopes. God has compelled me to become better-equipped, then develop training tools for pastors and team leaders in our churches.
The compulsion came from scripture. In John 17, Jesus repeatedly prayed that His disciples would be “one” – even as He and the Father were one. 1 Corinthians 12 teaches clearly and powerfully that the Holy Spirit chooses differing gifts (strengths) for each believer. Every member of the body is crucial. God has chosen to make us different but promises that we can be “one” while still being different. I want to see that happen in every church!
THE PLAN
1
We must study and teach the truths from God’s Word regarding the differences He has intentionally built into each of us.
2
Then assess the differences in each member of our staff or leadership team. There are several good assessments available. I have chosen to use Leading from Your Strengths because I believe it does the best job of aligning with scripture.
3
Help every member of the team to see themselves as God sees them – not better than others nor less important than others. Every member is significant to the Body of Christ.
4
Pastors and leaders, we must model the spiritual truths from 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Treat every person in the manner God desires.
5
Expect every team member to value every other team member. We have an obligation to the Lord and the church to graciously hold the whole team accountable. Some may refuse and will need to be “out-counseled” in a biblical manner.
6
Continue to teach the church and the staff/leaders these biblical principles. “Pour” large amounts into the whole church periodically with sermons. “Drip” smaller doses continually in your teaching and interactions with the team you lead.
You may not have a Dream Team at your church, but I believe you have the potential and ability to build one! It only takes equipping and commitment. This will honor the Lord and bring blessing to you, the leadership team, and the church.
