Building A Proper Team

Over the past little bit, I have been teaching on sticking to the basics. As I inch closer and closer to my next ministry project overseas, I have become more and more aware that the need for an efficient and effective team is critical. For too long I have seen myself and the sole responsible person for problem solving, and the like. I’ll bet most of you can understand the feeling I have operated under. It was selfish and flawed.

I was reading recently and came across this statement that really jolted me into deeper thought. The paragraph read:

Jesus didn’t need people to help him.  He didn’t need twelve disciples. Yet he chose them. However, working through other leaders was God’s plan from the beginning.

Jesus knew clearly his purpose and mandate from the Father — to reveal to others the Kingdom of God and he chose his disciples to take responsibility to influence people for the Kingdom of God. They advanced the mission of God because working through other leaders was God’s plan from the beginning.

You and I do the same. We are responsible to select, develop and equip leaders to lead. Here are some things Jesus did to develop his team.

Be Careful and Deliberate in your choices

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:” (Luke 6: 12-23)

He didn’t rush into it, and he wanted the Father’s heart in the process. Jesus clearly chose for potential over a proven track record. Be careful and deliberate who you put on your team.

Keep the Mission Clear

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Luke 10:2),

Jesus repeatedly gave a singular mission statement to his disciples when he said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16

Our team constantly needs to be reminded of our purpose and that cannot be a shifting target. Strategies and tactics may evolve, but our purpose must be etched from a higher power. Set the direction for your team and inspire the people to a better future.

Always make the direction clear.

Invest time Wisely

When Jesus appointed the twelve, the scripture says, “that they might be with him” (Mark 3:14).

Investing time is critical because it was during their times when Jesus that they watched him serve, submit (to the Father), obey, suffer and love. It was the first-hand time that they not only heard but saw.

Love unconditionally

Jesus loved the twelve to the point of sacrificing his life on a cross. He constantly met them where they were and always showed love for them. I admit that sometimes even though I think I am loving; I operate from a position of selfish fear.

Teach practically

One of the mistakes that leaders often make is in giving advice or instruction from a purely academic level. Role playing and laughing is a great part of this practice.

Correct without Condemnation

It was correction that came when the storm was raging on the sea, and when the 5,000 were hungry, and the disciples wanted to send them away. Over and over again Jesus showed the essential part of love that comes from correction. If the people on our teams are truly potential leaders, we must know that they are looking for correction from us. Just remember, there is a difference between correction and condemnation.

Trust your Team

In what we commonly refer to as the “Great Commission,” just before Jesus ascended back in to heaven he left his team with this promise:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
–Matthew 28:18-20

He wasn’t afraid to trust his disciples with responsibility, give them authority, and let them lead from his example. At some point, sooner rather than latter we have to trust those our team with the honor of leadership. That’s what makes a team.

In the coming weeks we will gather in Africa and we are looking forward to blessings of a proper team. Pray with us unto the Lord of the Harvest.