Friday, March 16, 2012

NO ONE LEADS ALONE


No one leads alone.  As the famous quote goes, if you are leading, and no one is following, you are just taking a walk.   This week we continue looking at the value of a team.  We will again look at what John Maxwell calls “The Law of Dividends” from his book The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork.  

In Colossians we see the indispensable need of a team.  Colossians 4:7 states “Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant.”   Paul desires to write a letter to the church in Colossae to address some concerns and encourage the church.  However, he is in prison and in chains.  Paul is dependent not only on someone to write the letter, but on someone to deliver this letter.  Tychicus serves as the deliverer of Paul’s letter.  Paul is dependent on the support of a team.

Here are things to consider when developing your team:

1.      Give credit for success to the team.  You cannot do ministry alone.  We must express appreciation and gratitude to those who volunteer and invest in your students.  Honor them and celebrate their successes.  You could not succeed without them.

2.      Watch to see that investment to the team is paying off.  This is accountability for the responsibility each team member carries.  Be willing to lovingly address issues in your team that need to be addressed.   Help them grow and encourage them to mature as leaders.

3.      Stop your investment in those who do not grow.  This is stewardship.  Some team members might harbor character and attitude issues that could negatively affect the rest of the group.  Negative team members are a burden to the team, can hinder growth, and become divisive.  Be wise in who is part of your team.   

4.      Create new opportunities.  This helps with burnout and ensures longevity.  Give team members opportunity to excel in their gifts and talents.  Find out what they are passionate about and use that as a springboard for new opportunities.  This will help they buy in to what you are doing, and help them feel they are adding value to the ministry they are a part of.

5.      Give your team the best possible chance to succeed.  As we have stated before, our greatest success is the success of our team.  Encourage them, teach them, and release them to succeed.  Your ministry and students will be better for it.

Where a true leader is, there is vision.  Where there is a team, there is the fulfillment of a vision.  We as leaders are dependent on those we lead.  What victories have your team members had this year?  How have you celebrated these successes? Find ways to encourage you team, celebrate your team, and honor their successes.  This develops quality and longevity in the valued team member.

In most cases our team members are volunteering time, money and efforts toward the ministry they are involved in.  There are a number of other things they could be doing, but they choose to serve your ministry.  Let us honor those who have chosen to be a part of our team.

Source for Article: The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, John Maxwell.


Abe Daniel - District Student Ministries Director
Northern California and Nevada Assemblies of God Student Ministries

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