By their very nature, boards, committees, or ministry teams are about a group of people coming together to work on a common goal. As already noted in a previous post, because these groups are made up of fallen human beings, the potential for disagreement, political maneuvering, and disunity exists. If our focus remains on self, or even on the horizontal plain (with one another), personal agendas and ungodly conflict will mark our boards, committees, or ministry teams. The answer? We need an upward-focus, on God, that supersedes all, if we are going to have Christ-like boards, committees, or ministry teams.
Christ-likeness Requires Us to be Upward-Focused as Demonstrated by Jesus
Jesus’ view of the Father set the course for how He maintained an upward focus. All He did was because of, through, and for the Father. As a result, He maintained His unity with the Father while making an eternal difference. When our church boards, committees, and ministry teams function accordingly, we become more purposeful and productive. Relationships within our meetings take on the dynamic they should as we aren’t focused on getting our own way or appeasing others. When we look upward, to God, what we do is for and about Him, not us. Consider at how Jesus viewed the Father:
1) Jesus viewed the Father as the Sender to His Mission.
2) Jesus acknowledged the Father as the Source of authority.
3) Jesus set the Father up as the Standard to follow.
4) Jesus made the Father the Seat of attention.
You’ll find a brief explanation of each of the above points backed up with Scripture in the Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide along with implications for boards, committees, and ministry teams.
For More on Being Christ-like, Go To: Resources about Christlikeness in the Church
All Posts about Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams:
- Purpose in Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams
- Healthy Church Boards Exercise Body Life
- Agendas Versus Relationships
- Contributing in Committees, Boards, Ministry Teams
- Differences of Opinion Don’t Have to Divide
- Division of Responsibilities
- Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams Need Focus
- Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams Need Accountability
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Purposeful
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Servant-Oriented
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Team-Oriented
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Upward-Focused
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Process-Oriented
- Effective Church Committees or Ministry Teams
- Understanding Needed about Team Members Contributing
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Possible Due to the Gospel
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Because of the Holy Spirit
- Pulling on Spiritual Gifts of Board, Committee, Team Members?
- Spiritual Gifts of a Board or Committee Chairperson
- Christ-like Boards & Committees a Result of Grace
- Coming Together Because of the Name of the Lord
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Keep His Word Central
- Overcoming Power for Church Boards and Committees
- Spiritual Alertness Needed in Boards and Ministry Teams
- Praying for Unity on Boards and Committees
- Leader Qualities that Promote Peace on Boards and Teams