Building Biblical Teams (Mar 08)
"But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. I Corinthians 12: 18-20 (NIV)
What makes a team effective? Literally thousands of books and resources exist on this topic—all designed to improve teamship and organizational quality. But the best resource for understanding functional teams and dynamic leaders is God's Word itself. And although chapters of the Bible may not be dedicated to recording the “minute meetings” of teams, we believe that God has a lot to say on teamship.
This was the focus of our most recent DiscipleMakers Staff Conference, March 5th-7th—to identify and apply Scriptural principles to the way we run our teams. By looking at the examples of Paul and the rest of the Apostles, we studied the importance of having a clear vision, engaging in productive conflict, and caring for one another biblically. Here are some highlights of the teaching:
Love Over Skills: It can be tempting to think that our productivity as a ministry depends on our skill level: how gifted we are in teaching, evangelism, accounting, or any other task that the Lord calls us to. However, in 1 Corinthians, Paul tells us that skills alone are essentially worthless, and he exhorts us to develop the “most excellent skill”--love. To love those on our teams requires vulnerability. It also requires a willingness to invest in deep relationships—considering people more valuable than our workload. It requires that we encourage one another sincerely and remind each other of what is true.
Keep the Vision at the Forefront: In the midst of stressful, unfulfilling, or tiring work, why do we persevere? In times like this, we are so prone to forget what is true. Hebrews 3 calls us to exhort one another daily. We must consciously remind ourselves and each other of the worthwhile vision to which we've been called—honoring the Lord and making disciples of all nations!
The Benefits of Conflict: Conflict! Teams will often avoid it at all costs, not wanting to upset one another or hinder team productivity. However, avoiding conflict creates nothing more than artificial harmony—a “feeling” of unity that essentially falls apart in the midst of difficulty. Good conflict, however, leads to understanding people better, getting all of the facts, and making a better and more productive decision. Not only that, but engaging in productive conflict often provides a means to encourage real heart change in people.
Tearing Down the Walls: Often, team members can become self-focused, caught up in individual responsibilities and personal achievement. This can be disastrous for a team, leading to competition, envy, strife, and ultimately, disunity. The Lord calls us to be a body—to work together and unify around a common vision. By doing this, we can focus on what is necessary for the advancement of the whole team, rather than spending our energy on self gain or personal satisfaction.
As we seek to honor the Lord and build our teams on Biblical principles, we will continue to see growth in our effectiveness as an organization—manifested in the way we care for each other, students, and our partners in ministry. Praise the Lord for making us “His Body,” which so intricately works together to accomplish His purposes!
