What does a dream team look like? When wearing the Vacation Bible School director hat, my dream team might look a bit different than others. I want someone that is well trained in glue sticks and glitter, broken crayons and dried out markers, and the culinary delicacy of goldfish crackers with fishing poles made out of pretzel rods and red licorice ropes.
In reality, there are a few things that Jesus modeled for us in making his dream team, that truly need to affect your decision process.
First, it starts with the attitude and preparation of the team leader. Am I prepared? Am I ready to jump where God wants me to go? Those who were used in extraordinary ways in the Bible first had a relationship with God like no other. Am I ready to join God where he is already at work and be obedient no matter the cost. Jesus said “I can do nothing on My own. I judge only as I hear and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 5:30. He sought the Lord and obeyed. We also can see that Jesus knew God’s word. During his temptation, he fought back with the Word. Be ready to lead this team with the word of God. We are told to hide it in our heart and we are told that it is the sword of our armor.
Second, who is willing and teachable? Don’t just look for the regular, ‘normal’ participants. Look for the outside the box ones. The easy picks aren’t always the best. The quickest isn’t always the long-term answer. I am pretty sure that the first century fisherman didn’t smell all that pretty and were a little rough around the edges. They didn’t have it all together either. They weren’t old enough, they didn’t have enough experience.
Finally, it really goes back to the leader. This is really the key! Building a team is going to require action from you. You don’t put a team together and then watch them do the work. Not only do we need to model and express the expectations of the team, but we also need to communicate the value and importance of the team. In college I read a book called, “The Blessing,” by John Trent. To this day I remember several of the keys to developing worth and value in relationships. They were:
- meaningful, encouraging touch
- spoken words
- attaching value
- a future
When establishing a team, make sure you are ready to bless your team.
Are you ready to pat them on the back?
Are you ready to hold their hand through something? Have you seen some of the studies about physical touch on our physical and mental health? Dacher Keltner reports in his article, HANDS ON RESEARCH: The Science of Touch “In recent years, a wave of studies has documented some incredible emotional and physical health benefits that come from touch. This research is suggesting that touch is truly fundamental to human communication, bonding, and health.”
Dr. Frederic Michon, a doctor at the Social Brain lab at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience reports that what happened during the height of the Covid pandemic, when people were isolated and had less physical contact with others. “They found correlations during Covid times between touch deprivation and health aspects like depression and anxiety,” We suffer when we don’t have physical contact with others. We are a blessing to our teams when we give them a pat on the back or a hug.
Are you ready to speak words of encouragement to them?
Hebrews 10:24 says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
One of the most powerful times with the VBS team is our debrief time. After each day we meet in the Worship Rally area and talk through the day. I always give time for ‘shout-outs’ for individuals and something that stood out that day! When someone points out something that someone did that they might not have even thought was noticed, it is a blessing.
Encouragement can be physically spoken but it also can be in a text, an email or a handwritten note. Some people believe snail mail is archaic, but who doesn’t like getting sweet note in the mail. I think of the times I get a letter or card in the mail and the immediate smile that comes on my face and the excitement as I read the message. Those written messages end up on the side of the refrigerator or tucked in their Bible to be read over and over.
Are you ready to explain the task?
Are you ready to set the expectations and then are you able to cast the vision of the importance and value of the team? This can take time and mistakes can happen. When Jesus was in the garden praying on the night he was betrayed, remember what his dream team did? They dreamed! This was not the dreaming that we are talking about though. They fell asleep after Jesus asked Peter, James and John to stay awake with him. Not only once, not twice, but three times. When he came back the third time. “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the time is near…Get up let’s go.” Matthew 26:45-46.
A lot happened in the next three days, but when Jesus spoke to them again, He explained the mission and gave them the power to go. “Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe everything I cave commanded you.” In my mind he looked them in the eye, touched them on the shoulder. He was intentional and personal. He gave them a huge task…but didn’t leave them alone.
Each year I type out strips of paper that say you’re truly are a ‘LIFE SAVER” and attach it to a candy lifesaver. What the VBS team is doing, from rocking babies, to singing songs, to teaching the Bible Story, to sharing about missions, to getting bombarded with water balloons during recreation time, it is all pointing kids to Jesus. That is the mission. That is the task. They need to see that and hear that.
Are you ready to ask God to use you to help develop ones calling?
Are you ready to encourage them in to how God is using them and going to use them? Are you ready to challenge them with a job? Are you ready to empower them and commit to helping them through it? Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.” Ephesians 2:10 ”For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ for good works, in which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Looking again at Jesus last words to His disciples in the Great Commission, He gave them a job and assurance to not be left alone. We need to be ready to show them that they are not alone. Matthew 28:20b “and remember I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
God’s got this! Wherever he is leading you, he is right there with you. Let HIM use you to lead the team, its really HIS team anyway!
