So I’m sitting here in the Blue Dog Cafe. Great atmosphere, but at 40 I think I may be the youngest guy in here right now…wait…there we go, some youthfulness just walked in. Anyway, many moons ago, I posted an article on leading a ministry team. This morning I was dreaming of what our churches would look like if everyone served. What keeps people from volunteering? I see so many people who miss out on golden opportunities to use how God has designed them to make an impact in someone’s life. Could it be that we abuse volunteers and see them as cheap (slave) labor instead of partners in ministry? When you are partners in a venture, you want each other to be successful and effective. Perhaps that’s what we are missing??? Ephesians 4 tells us that we are commissioned to equip. I like how the KJV says that we are to “perfect” the saints. If our volunteers feel used and abused or ill-equipped, it’s because we have not set them up for success.

This week, think about how you can set up your volunteers to succeed. You can also check out Tony Morgan’s blog post on an interview with a highly committed volunteer. It’s a 2 part-er, so read both of them.

Recently some church planters got together for a network meeting in Virgina. One of the topics of conversation revolved around the respect that young or new pastors are shown by members of their congregations. While no of them men in that room could be indicted on the charge of requiring or seeking respect, it was apparent that it is something that is lacking in the body of Christ. As I read my friend Matt Willimington’s recent post on the subject, I was encouraged and convicted. The Holy Spirit directed me to a very familiar verse, 1 Timothy 4:12. While Paul admonishes Timothy to not let anyone fault him for being young, he aslo directs him on how he can encourage his congregation towards affirming his leadership, by being an example.

Check  out the rest of Matt’s blog at EzraSevenTen. Enjoy!

Key #2 – Placing the right team members in the right role

For an effective team-centered ministry, the right team members are indispensable. Placing the right team members in the right role can ensure success or guarantee failure. Is it possible to have the right team members, but have them placed in the wrong role on the team? The answer is yes. The team leader’s strength is his ability to assign roles to the right team member to maximize their effectiveness. It involves the concept of divided labor.

Adam Smith first introduced this to the Western world in 1776. The concept revolved around our modern understanding of team. Instead of having individuals manufacture products individually one at a time, Smith demonstrated how dividing the labor could produce more over a shorter period of time and thereby increase production exponentially.

When we apply this concept to ministry, the result is similar but with deep eternal impact. As team leaders identify and place each team member in the proper role, the ministry becomes more effective and productive in making disciples.  As a team leader, one must understand each team member in three specific areas:

1. spiritual maturity,
2. unique personality,
3. life situation.

With spiritual maturity, the goal is to determine each team member’s level of growth in his or her faith. Do they have a solid grasp of basic Bible knowledge? Are they capable of leading someone to Christ using the Bible and their personal testimony? Do they understand basic doctrines of the faith? What kind of fruit has their life yielded for the kingdom? These are simple questions that will help the team leader assess each team member’s level of spiritual growth. But this is just a beginning point. Assessment must be regular and progressivley more intense.

Team leaders must also understand each team member’s unique personality. “Bringing out the best in team members requires that their coach know them and what is important to them” -John Maxwell. When a team leader understands the unique personality of each team member, it enables the team to operate at higher level of performance. In working with team-centered ministries, a personality profile can be very helpful. It allows the team leader to view personality styles as well as work styles and conflict styles. Once the team understands the different styles of each team member, they can begin to connect in ways that they could not prior to taking the personality profile.

And you can’t forget to look at where each team member is in their life. New marriage, kids, teenagers, college students, empty nesters–they all have needs and talents that are shaped by the season of life they are in.

Just a few thoughts, remaining in Him–John 15:5

It has been said, “There is no “I” in team. While it is obvious that this statement is accurate, it may not be true in real life. Change some letters around and you will discover the word “me.” Teams win championships. Players win MVP’s. Every coach, every CEO, every shift manager, and every pastor desires to find the championship team made up of MVP’s. This may be the pinnacle.

Remember the 1992 U. S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, also known as “The Dream Team,” That was a moment in sports and Olympic history when the team was the best it could be. Can this be translated to the business world? Better yet, can this be translated to leadership in the church?

I believe there are five keys (at least) to developing a leadership team in church ministry.

Key #1 – Finding the Right Team Members

Any team’s success is dependent in part on the chemistry of the team members and how they trust and relate to each other and the mission. Pat MacMillan, author of The Performance Factor, said “the power of a team flows out of each team member’s alignment to its purpose.” The right team members have an understanding that the mission of the ministry is the ultimate priority. Every team member is willing to set aside personal ambition for the sake of the mission. It is what MacMillan calls “common purpose.”

I am continually looking for the perfect team of leaders, both paid staff & volunteer staff. I have learned that I haven’t quite figured it all out. But there are some things that I try to do to help that “Dream Team” come together.

• Pray - Matthew 9:38 tells me to “pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” (NLT)
• Promote – The church body cannot support or participate in that which it does not know exists.
• Prospects – Don’t limit your prospect list to people who are just like you. remember the body of Christ has many parts.
• Plan Ahead – Desperation is a dangerous enemy to team building. Time is the ingredient that allows the team leader to identify individual compatibility to the team and its mission in ministry.
• Be Personal – nothing replaces the power of personal contact in church ministry. Avoid relying on emails, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, and phone calls. meet in person at the church or in the community.

My good friend Matt Willmington is a great coach. During March Maddness while you’re watching your bracket blow up, take a break to check out his blog post “Are Your a Rebel or Revolutionary?”

Matt always sees things with incredible discernment and insight. You and I both know coaching is what wins championships. Go Coach Roy!