Doing Ministry as a Team

April 6, 2011

by Dr. Don R. Simmons

Doing ministry as a team is often easier said than done, primarily because we develop teams of individuals who often value individual accomplishment more than teamwork.  In Teams that Click (Harvard Business Review publication), we are reminded that being a member of a team is not natural for most people, yet, some people exhibit behaviors in groups that can cause the team to be successful, and then others seem to be bent on team destruction, or oblivious to the fact that their behaviors have a negative impact on the entire team.

 Some of the most common team behaviors that usually spell trouble, but we all have experienced them, are:

• Dominating:takes much of the team time expressing self views and opinions.  They try to take control by use of power and team time.
• Rushing:This person encourages the group to move on before the task is complete.  They get tired of listening to others and working as a group.  This person has little regard for team building activities.
• Withdrawing:This person removes self from discussions or decision-making and refuses to participate.  At times, this is also a play for control, and a shield for responsibility. This behavior is characterized by the statement, “don’t blame me, I didn’t make that decision…”
• Discounting:Disregards or minimizes group or individual ideas or suggestions.  Severe discounting behavior can include insults, which are often in the form of jokes and sarcasm. 
• Digressing:Rambles, tells stories and takes the team away from the primary purpose. They can often lose credibility with the team because of the time that they expend in chasing proverbial rabbits. 
• Blocking:Impedes the team’s progress by obstructing all ideas and suggestions.  This person always has a reason that “it will never work that way.” 
• Spiritualizing:This person blocks movement of the team by questioning the spirituality and theological correctness of each team action and activity. They rarely offer appropriate alternatives, but see themselves as assisting God in monitoring team behavior. 

The previous list of behaviors can actually be overcome and diverted by the following constructive team behaviors.

• Cooperating:  This person is interested in the views and opinions of other group members and is willing to adapt for the good of the team.
• Clarifying:This person makes issues clear for the group by listening, summarizing and maintaining the focus of the discussions. 
• Inspiring:This person enlivens the group and encourages full participation and progress.  They can be a cheerleader and team player. 
• Harmonizing:This person is valuable because they encourage group cohesion and collaboration.  Often, they use humor as a relief after a particularly difficult discussion. 
• Risk Taking:This team member is willing to risk possible personal loss or embarrassment for the group or for project success. 
• Process Checking:Questions the team on process issues such as agenda, time frames, discussion topics, decision methods and use of timely information. 
• Prayer Warrior:This person supports the team activities and individual team members by praying for them consistently, specifically and honestly.  They gather prayer requests, and possess gifts of service and intercession. 

One way to address the destructive behaviors and to affirm the constructive actions is to introduce this list to the team as a part of team training, and to include the list in ministry team descriptions.  Often, when a person is aware of the response to their actions, they can work to change or enhance that behavior.  As the team leader, frequently affirm and identify team behaviors that are helpful to the team, and that progress the team toward success.  As a training activity, encourage team members to wear a placard describing these behaviors, and role play the use of the behavior in a meeting or activity.  As much as possible, have fun with communicating the behaviors, understanding that these behaviors are hard-wired into each person, and are more likely to be evident when a person is tired, hungry, distracted by other activities (in the case of the destructive behaviors.)  The constructive behaviors may be more natural for some individuals than with others.  A person’s birth order, family size, education level and spiritual maturity all impact every person’s team behaviors.  Helping people to be aware of their “team style” is useful for every person in the settings where they live, work, worship and play. 

Another method of addressing these team behaviors is through the development of a team covenant.  The covenant is not the ministry description for the team, but describes how the team will work together to achieve the common goals.  Communication, team behavior, scheduling, tracking and evaluating should all be addressed in the covenant and the team should develop the covenant together close to the time that the team is formed.  A team leader is not responsible for developing a covenant and providing it for the team, rather, the team leader should provide team time, a format and a limited number of suggestions for inclusion in the covenant.  Without a covenant, the team has no real recourse to correct destructive behaviors, and relies more on self-monitoring.  One of the great benefits of being a member of a ministry team is that we have the opportunity to “practice” the use of our gifts, and to frequently activate the fruits of the Spirit such as humility, patience, joy and love. 

Recognizing these team behaviors is also useful when developing a new ministry team.  A team leader may want to build a team based on a variety of identifiable team behavior traits.  A budget team, for example, may have a strong need for a person who is known to be strong in clarifying.  Some more mundane task teams may need a strong inspiring team member, while other ministries may need to stay on track with process checking and cooperating.  Understanding a potential team members group behavior style can be a vital part of the discovery process and interviews, and can eliminate many problems for the team down the road.  It is unlikely that a person will radically change team behaviors from team to team, but all of us are likely to perform similarly with each team. 

So, can you identify YOUR team behavior?

Don R. Simmons

Fresno, CA  

(Team behaviors adapted from Brunt (1993). Facilitation Skills for Quality Improvement. Quality Enhancement  Strategies. 1008 Fish Hatchery Road. Madison, WI  53715)

Cultivating Green Spaces, Changing Lives In Waukegan

March 24, 2011

Imagine once-vacant city lots in Waukegan and North Chicago are being transformed into vibrant urban garden spaces. Some lots are planted with colorful flowers and native plants, bringing color and life to neglected spaces. Other lots have vegetable gardens; some are a source of fresh produce for a few families in the neighborhood and some are a source of income for those who sell their bounty at local farmers’ markets.

This isn’t a fantasy, but a growing reality. An emerging network of church and community organizations is working toward cultivating green spaces in neglected places. “Under-resourced communities can be quite desolate. There is literally a ‘food desert’ in both North Chicago and on Waukegan’s southside.  There simply are no grocery stores where people can buy fresh food,” said Keith Cerk, pastor of First Baptist Church in Waukegan. “People motivated by the desire to live out their Christian faith in demonstrable ways are partnering together with others in the community to transform the urban landscape and meet a serious need for fresh vegetables. The good will that gets created from working together is very powerful.”

Organizations including Green Town Waukegan, the Lake County Forest Preserve District, and FIST (Former Inmates Striving Together), along with local churches including First Baptist, North Suburban Mennonite, Trinity AME, Christ Episcopal, and Lake Forest’s Faith Lutheran, have all come together out of shared concern for their community. “Some of us have a focus on resourcing families and local food pantries with fresh produce. Others seek job creation and skill training for those needing work because ‘green collar’ jobs such as urban farming are a booming career field.  Some of us have community development or city beautification goals, while others are invested in educating our children, seeing gardening as a way to enthuse learning about critical subjects such as the natural sciences.  And of course, time spent in creation is a wonderful way to awaken awe and wonder in those whose spiritual senses have been dumbed-down by living two-dimensionally in front of a computer screen.”

Cerk noted that everyone who has participated in the series of networking and brainstorming meetings that have taken place in recent weeks may be coming at the issue of urban gardens from different angles, but all those angles converge in concern for the health and wellbeing of this community. “I love to see churches partnering with neighbors and others of good will to address concerns we all have a stake in. To me, the Kingdom of God is all about what happens as we build these relationships. And guess what?  If you think you’ve signed on simply to help others less fortunate, look out!  You may well find you are the one with the greatest lessons to learn, and God uses the ones you seek to serve as your teachers. Sort of mission-in-reverse!! God works like that a lot with me. It keeps me humble.”

For more information about future meetings or learning about ways you can get involved, contact Pastor Keith Cerk.

If you have a story about a congregation who is serving their community in a unique way, contact Michelle Van Loon.

Community St. Patrick Style

March 14, 2011

by Bill Yaccino

I'm a bit of a church history nut.  When I come across stories that are not only interesting from a historical perspective, but also relevant to our current situation, my ears perk up!  The story of St. Patrick is one of those stories… and then some! 

Perhaps you’re not interested in ancient trivia.  Don’t bail out yet!  Take a look at the fruit that came from this faithful servant’s ministry and then determine why ALL OF US should be extremely interested in learning more:

St. Patrick’s Ministry

-          Lasted 28 years
-          In that time he planted 700 churches
-          He ordained 1000 priests
-          He spoke out against slavery
-          He was inclusive of women serving in ministry

NOTE: Please remember that it was roughly 432 A.D. when he did all this!  Was he ahead of his time, or what!

Impressive resume, eh?  And do you know how he began his ministry to the “barbarians” in Ireland?  He was captured as a child and taken as a slave boy. During his enslavement, three profound changes happened in his life:

1. He connected with God in a new and real way
2. He came to understand the Irish Celtic people
3. He came to love his captors

Years later, at age 22, Patrick escaped and went back to his “homeland” of England.  Yet Patrick found himself wanting to be back with the people he so loved.  In fact, he received word from his former captors inviting him back.  Listen to the words of these unreachable people: “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us” Can you imagine the influence this lad had on “his enemies”?  Apparently the reputation of Christ through his life was so attractive, they wanted him back to live among them!

Patrick’s Mission…

Ironically, Patrick did not set up camp (or cathedral) in ways similar to the popular church growth principles of the day.  His primary mission was not to preach or to “civilize” or Christianize - rather he was specifically called to be among them once again. He was invited by God to live among them as Christ’s witness.  What was so different about what Patrick did?

While the successful Roman church growth model was all about…

- Presentation (of the gospel)
- Decision (to be a proclamed follower of Christ, a Christian)
- Fellowship (in the body of Christ, invited into community)

Patrick turned things upside down and build a community around…

- Fellowship (people were invited in to join the faithful in community)
- Conversation & Ministering to Needs (they were listened to and needs were met)
- Belief & Commitment (they experienced Christian life, then they made a decision to follow Jesus)

I see a visible expression of that Christ-like love for people in the churches across Chicago.  Let’s continue to work together as one church - His Church -  inviting people into the community of faith so that they can experience what we experience - God in our midst, changing lives, transforming community.  Many will be attracted to His ways before they fully “get it” – but they will find themselves hungry for a life lived as servants of the Almighty King. 

How about you “slaveboy or slavegirl”?  Are you ready to walk among them?  Join us on April 7th at the 'Bonfire' so we can do this together!

Peace, strength and joy to you on the journey!

Serving Together,

Bill Yaccino
Executive Director, Christ Together
(847) 281-3370
bill@christtogether.com

A ‘growing’ way to respond to hunger in Lake County

March 12, 2011

Lake County, one of the wealthiest counties in the USA, has over 7% of residents living in poverty – over 50,000 people, with a child poverty rate of 10.1% - over 19,600 children.  Further, over 21,000 people live in extreme poverty and over 91,000 people live on an income that barely sustains them and their families.1  It is also estimated that almost $71,000 is required for a family of 4 to be self-sufficient in Lake County – an income sufficient not to be in need of any assistance.
 
Many of us already help alleviate hunger by donating food to the Northern Illinois Food Bank or one of the many emergency food pantries in Lake County.  However, a large portion of what we donate is processed food – often high in carbohydrates, fats, salts, and sugars.  A primary diet of such foods can create a variety of health issues for families and their children.   
 
There can be a healthier alternative!
 
A diet of whole foods – particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, is essential for a healthier life.  However, such foods are consistently more expensive, out of the reach for most in need. The challenge is how fruit and vegetables can be gathered in larger quantities to provide a healthier diet for those in need.
 
The Ten Thousand Gardens initiative, spearheaded by North Suburban Mennonite Church, offers two simple ways you can respond to hunger and nutrition issues in Lake County.

First, Ten Thousand Gardens is encouraging those with backyard gardens to do what they always do – grow food.  In addition, we are asking that gardeners consider growing more produce than is needed for themselves, family, or friends. Then, donate their surplus produce to an area food pantry of your church’s choosing.  Connect to the Ten Thousand Gardens website at www.lovingneighbor.org to register your intent to donate produce from your backyard gardens.
 
Second, Ten Thousand Gardens is asking churches to consider developing gleaning teams who volunteer their time on Tuesday mornings (from end of June through early October) to participate in picking produce that local farmers will not harvest for market but are willing to donate to area food pantries.  Depending on number of participating churches, a commitment to gleaning may be once or twice per month.  To set up a gleaning team from your church, for more information about Ten Thousand Gardens, or to get a copy of a bulletin insert you can use to spread the word about the project, please contact Roland Kuhl at Ten Thousand Gardens.

Is your congregation involved in responding to hunger in Lake County? Click here to contact Michelle Van Loon with your story. 
 

 

11 months in Lake County, 1 month on the other side of the world

March 7, 2011

When Trinity Community Church in Libertyville called David Niblack to serve the congregation, he entered into a unique arrangement with the congregation. Eleven months of the year, Niblack is the lead pastor, teaching, cultivating and maintaining vision, and overseeing outreach and missions. During the remaining month, he has arranged to take an unpaid “sabbatical” from church responsibilities in order to be involved in overseas missions.

“Growing up, I’d always been drawn both to missions overseas and pastoral work in the U.S.,” said Niblack. “The opportunity came to serve in Libertyville and I sensed it was a good fit.” However, he had some concerns about assimilating into suburbia. “I didn’t want to be a guy whose horizon of prayer went about as far as the furthest Starbucks, and who was savvier at talking about what lacked in the latest emerging church instead of what lacked in the 10/40 window - namely, thousands of churches!”

When he shared those concerns with one of his former instructors at Trinity International University, the professor told Niblack that when he was a pastor, he’d arranged to take time off every year to serve overseas. “I thought it was a great idea, and fit well with my heart and the structure of shared leadership at the church.  I proposed it to the elders at Trinity Community Church and they gave their unanimous support.”

Pastor Niblack recently returned from his first monthlong trip. He spent time in the cities of Toulouse, Marseille, Metz and Paris, France; as well as journeying to Malta, Tunisia and Libya. “Like the Psalmist, I thank the Lord for watching over ‘my going out and coming in.’ He gave me safety during travel, easy departure from Libya just days before the violence escalated, rich times with older pastors, and the chance to teach and preach in several locations.”

The trip gave him a unique glimpse into the need for the gospel in North Africa. “I attended a conference that brought together both nationals and foreign missionaries. One thing was immediately clear:  ministry in North Africa is not for the faint of heart. Of the 87 million people in North Africa, a scant 62,000 are Christians.  Islam exerts a powerful influence on all parts of the culture, and most countries have governments that are hostile to Christian evangelism.” 

He said that the biggest challenge of the trip wasn’t his safety, but finding and plugging into meaningful service overseas. “At times I almost felt like a ‘missionary tourist’, bouncing from a glimpse of one ministry to the next without any serious engagement.  It’s not hard to impress others back home with some photos, stories, and a list of ministry activities overseas. But to really serve like Jesus, to understand the needs of a community and to go ‘with the full blessing of Christ’ (Romans 15:29) is much harder. My goal is to find a place where I can return each year, build relationships, and get better a connected with the specific needs and burdens of that particular community.  Returning to the same place would also open up the chance to have long term, even mentoring relationships with non-Western pastors and church leaders. There is potential for this in North Africa, but I did not find any a context that I could commit to for next year without hesitation.”  

Niblack noted that pastors have a unique platform from which to inspire others to love and serve those who need the Good News around the world. “But to inspire others, we have to have a heart for the world ourselves. This can be hard to nurture amid all the demands, concerns and cares of pastoral ministry.  Spending time overseas, especially in hard places, brings perspective. I am motivated to do what I can, starting with myself, to be an influence in enabling others to engage in radical things for the gospel around the world.”  

He noted that the prayer support he received from his congregation as well as other local pastors was a great encouragement to him. “Before I left we had a morning prayer meeting with the Christ Together local pastors.  I was able to share briefly about the trip and received prayer and encouragement from the group.   One of the key premises of the conference I attended in North Africa was the conviction that for a task as big as reaching North Africa, missionaries must partner and work together.  A passion for Christ’s mission inevitably leads to a passion for unity and cooperation.  My privilege was to experience this unity both among those sending me out in prayer, and those I was serving with on the mission field.”

Do you know of a local pastor who is involved in “out of the box” outreach ministry? Click here to contact Michelle Van Loon.