As a Church we function according to God’s design. We’re talking about functioning interdependently like a team, as the Body of Christ, as everyone does their part with Christ as the Head (Eph. 4:16). In so doing, we fulfill His purposes and mission as we serve, administering God’s grace toward one another through the use of our spiritual gifts (1 Pet. 4:10-11).
Understanding that functioning as a team is about the exercise of God’s power and grace, eliminates the dysfunction sometimes found in teams wherein members feel the need to compare themselves to each other which leads to jealousy or to compete with one another which leads to antagonism and pride. Healthy teams will acknowledge the spiritual gifting of one another and support each other in doing what best fits them.
Building a Team Takes God’s Power
Since we’re humans who haven’t fully arrived at who God intends us to be (Phil.3:10-14), we need equipping, training, and encouragement to function according to God’s design. That’s a leader’s responsibility which will best happen when leaders possess the spiritual gifts that enable them to do the following, or pull on the help of others with that gifting:
Forming or Building Teams (Recruiting Members)
Equipping and Training Members to Function as a Team
Encouraging Members to Do Their Part
Looking after the Spiritual Welfare of Team Members
Order the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use to learn which gifts best accomplish the above aspects of team building.
Everyone Has a Part to Contribute on a Team
Ideally team members will be chosen based on the purpose of the team. Depending on the focus of the team, certain type of gifts may best fulfill its mission. While it may be appropriate to have a heavier proportion of certain gifts based on the team’s purpose, bringing in people with other gifts could help bring balance or a greater breadth of understanding.
All Posts about Team Building:
- Essential Team Building Components
- Team Building by Aligning with God’s Purposes
- Team Building by Functioning Interdependently
- Team Building by Exercising Christ-like Character
- Team Building Leads to being on Mission Together
- Team Building Pulling on God’s Power
- Power to Function as a Team Because of the Gospel
- The Difference God’s Power Makes in Functioning as a Team
- Power to Function as a Team Because of Grace
- Power to Function as a Team Because of the Holy Spirit
- Power to Function as a Team When Praying Together
- Power to Function as a Team Because of Spiritual Gifts
- Perspective to Function as a Team