TEAM MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH 1

TEAM MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

By Pastor William Boachie-Ansah
Texts: Gen 11:4-5, John 17:20-23,

And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." 5 ¶ But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the LORD said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.

1.0. INTRODUCTION
According to Wikipedia, Teamwork simply refers to “work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.” In unity lies strength. “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to obtain uncommon results” (Ventura and Templin 2005,1). The local church needs to stress the importance of building teams of Spirit-infused and ministry-gifted people to serve God and His people. The results of a team always transcend the outcome of any individual from that same team.

2.0. EXEGESIS OF THE TEXTS
The people of Babel were heading toward human success simply because THEY WERE ONE. They were building together as a team. Although their goals and aspirations were comparatively perpendicular to the revealed word and plans of God for humans, they were making some progress until God stepped in! If we also come together properly, the Lord will surely step in, not to spoil but to help us progress to the next level.

It is for such express purpose that Jesus prayed for His disciples to be one. How do we understand oneness? It implies seeing one another as one, uniting for the common goal, oneness in doctrine, ministry and worship. Although they had known temperamental differences such as we have today, the Disciples did a good job by mapping the whole known world for evangelistic outreaches which worked to perfection.
This prayer of Jesus must work in our times too. That is the relevance of teamwork in ministry.

God’s plan has always been about using role players rather than superstars. When we work in concert with others, God orchestrates beautiful ministry that produces eternal results. For these reasons, many pastors and churches today have shifted from the preacher-counselor role to the leader-trainer role. The outgrowth is the training and deploying of congregants to be key leaders in the local church. Some committed believers eventually become pastoral staff members as churches increasingly promote from within the congregation. It will therefore be relevant for us to also consider these and strengthen our existing teams.

3.0. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TEAMS
It is expected of the one called into leadership in the church to be a good team player and team builder. He should understand that the church is the body of Christ, with different people fulfilling different functions, (Rom 12:5).
The Church ministry team combines different giftings, personalities and ministries into a cohesive unit which is able to achieve tasks beyond the individual capabilities of its members. Making ministries successful takes more than just individual effort - it takes teamwork because the Pastor, Presiding Elder or Ministry Leader alone cannot do everything. In many churches, ministers and church leaders work in isolation, administrators try to accomplish tasks alone, and the responsibility of implementation of new ideas fall to individual pastors or church leaders, but that is not the best.
3.1. Working together in teams often is a more effective way to accomplish important tasks because teams have many advantages over individuals working in isolation.
3.2. Teamwork focuses on meeting the spiritual and social needs of all members in the church. When many people come together with the view of finding solutions to problems, it becomes difficult for their focus to be diverted.
3.3. Teams also enjoy enhanced motivation and greater job satisfaction. This stems from the fact that other team members help boost performance.
3.4. Teams in addition generate energy and interest in new projects. This is made possible because teams have higher level of commitment, and more people who can help implement an idea or plan.
3.5. Greater involvement and empowerment of team members also bring about a higher level of productivity.
3.6. Frequent team meeting are scheduled to ensure constant review of goals and objectives.

Take note that some people around you may also serve as your talents, providing what you lack if you are able to identify and team up well with them, or build a good team out of them.

4.0. WHO SHOULD WE CALL INTO THE TEAM?
The most important character to consider is LOYALTY and FAITHFULNESS. The following people should not be part of the local team
4.1. Those who disappoint in times of pressure or crises. Absenteeism during the ministry’s hard times. It is in times of pressure that you can see the true character of a person. (Acts 15:38).
4.2. Those who disappoint you when they are under pressure. A loyalist will keep focus and perform all his duties. Proverbs 25:19.
4.3. Moral Weakness – 1 Tim. 5:2.
Immorality is rebellion against God and so it is against leadership. Young ladies should be treated by leadership as sisters and not as girlfriends or enemies either.
4.4. Financial Weakness – John 12:6. Remember that many traitors and rebels are also thieves.
4.5. Worldliness in Character – 2 Tim. 4:10. Loving the watching of worldly and perverted films, worldly music and knowing all the lyrics. Someone who admires worldliness is surely attracted to do it.
4.6. A person who does not pay Tithes and offerings. Money MUST not be a problem for any leader. So any leader who does not pay his tithes and give his offering may be a traitor – Matt. 3:8.
4.7. Those who think they can do better than the leadership. This is a clear Absalom spirit – 2 Sam. 12:4, 1 Cor. 12:28.
4.8. Those who are not ready to be trained or retrained in the ministry.
4.9. Those who are not prepared to do menial jobs. The disciples did menial jobs. Without shame, they collected baskets of leftover bread crumbs and fish bones in front of thousands of people. Luke 22:27.
4.10. A person who gives excuses and continually justifies himself. Be careful of the one who cannot admit their mistakes – 1 Sam. 15:20.
4.11. A person who does not keep promises – Psalm 15:4. A person who constantly makes promises and breaks them is unreliable.
4.12. A person who does not say “Amen” or smile whist his leader preaches. A loyal person will always appreciate the sermons of his leader.
4.13. A person who does not take note whilst the leader is preaching – Rev. 21:5. A person who thinks he knows all that the leader is preaching should not be around leadership.–3 Jn. 9. Those who don’t reply calls and messages are included.
4.14. A leader who does not attend certain meetings. Judas became a traitor and Thomas a doubter because of absenteeism during meeting – Jn. 20:24. Attendance at all meetings is essential to maintaining loyalty.
4.15. A person who thinks that too much money is being spent on the leadership or the head – Jn. 12:5.

5.0. BIBLICAL ADMONITIONS FOR TEAM MEMBERS
5.1. DOS FOR TEAM MEMBERS
As team members in this ministry, we are commanded to:
⛪Love one another. Joh 13:34, 15:12,15:17, Rom 13:8, 1Th 4:9, 1Pet 1:22, 1Jo 3:11 
⛪Admonish one another, Ro 15:14, Col 3:16
⛪Forgive one another, Eph 4:32, Col 3:13
⛪Exhort one another, Heb 3:13
⛪Consider one another, Heb 10:24
⛪Serve one another, Gal 5:13
⛪Forbear (tolerate) one another, Col 3:13;Eph 4:12
⛪Receive one another, Rom 15:7
⛪Be Kindly affectioned to one another, Rom 12:10

5.2. DON'TS FOR THE TEAM MEMBER
⛪Don't Judge one another, Rom 14:13
⛪Don't Bite and Devour one another, Gal 5:15
⛪Don't Provoke one another, Gal 5:26
⛪Don't Envy one another, Gal 5:26
⛪Don't Hate one another, Tit 3:3
⛪Don't Kill one another, Rev 6:4

6.0. CONCLUSION
So far, we have learned that teams are needed at every point of church leadership. God expects all leaders in the local church to be good team players, strategic team builders and effective team leaders. May He give us the needed strength for the task ahead.
GOD BLESS YOU.

© Ps William Boachie-Ansah  CONTACTS: 0244 137880, 0262 137880
boachieansah@gmail.com 
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