images via fotolia.com and the IPHC communications department
It’s true that “two are better than one” but in the case of Discipleship Ministries, it’s more like “fifteen are better than one.” Discipleship Ministries has been gradually creating a team of leaders under their ministry umbrella, with a high level of success. In July 2012, Bishop Tommy McGhee became the Executive Director for Discipleship Ministries and almost immediately began developing the team concept.
Bishop McGhee put in place a group of men and women with varying skillsets to lead the Student Ministries. “There is too much work for one person”, explains Bishop McGhee, “It needs a team of people to be able to initiate lasting change.” Bishop McGhee has continued to develop the same team strategy for Children’s Ministry, Family Ministry, and the core Discipleship team who are handling the administrative and financial workload.
When introducing the Student Ministries team, Bishop McGhee stated, “It is my hope that by developing a team concept we can effectively use our resources in building relationships and developing and distributing resources to those on the front lines.”
So, how do you go about creating a team culture? Bishop McGhee gives the following team concepts as the first steps in creating a winning team.
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Admit Weaknesses
We must all be willing to admit that we simply can’t do everything ourselves. “Admitting a weakness is a sign of strength.” Team members must be willing to lean on each other in times of high activity or stress.
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Appreciate Diversity
Our team is a veritable hodge podge of giftings and abilities. This allows us to look at a problem from every possible angle, from every perspective, and tackle it quickly and efficiently. This also allows us to move fluidly with a project. Some days an idea may come from a director, some days it may come from one of the administrative team. Because we appreciate our diversity, we can avoid becoming territorial over our ministries.
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Allow Conflict
Conflict can be an opportunity for the team to grow. Passionate people have strong feelings and you will never find a more passionate group of people than a team moving in excitement towards a united vision. Conflict can be healthy when it is used as a learning experience and your team will be the stronger for experiencing it.
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Advance Wisely
Creating a team culture is not an overnight endeavor. It may take months or years before you have the perfect mix in place, but the result will be well worth the effort. A team of people can solve problems and develop resources much more efficiently than any one person. Remember that leaders are learners, and learners are listeners. Be willing to seek the Lord’s direction for your team members and ask yourself these questions
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Do they have the skill set needed?
Don’t ask if they fill a spot that has always been there but if they have the necessary giftings to come alongside the vision and turn it into action
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Are they teachable?
They need to join in the vision, even adding to it themselves, instead of implementing their own agenda.
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Are they a team player?
Insist that they work well within the team. If they will allow conflict to stretch them and grow them, it will not slow them down.
Bishop McGhee advises those who desire a winning team to remember that we are not always responsible for the past, but we are responsible for the future. Andy Stanley says, “The leader is the one who has the courage to act on what he sees.”
“The kingdom cause is too important to just accept that things must continue as they have always been”, says Bishop McGhee, “We must make honest evaluations and do what’s best for the people we are trying to serve. We need to continually ask the hard questions, seek God for insights, and move forward. It’s not about us, it’s about Him and them.”
If you are interested in inviting Bishop McGhee to your conference, church, or event to speak, please contact discipleship@iphc.org.
