How to Design An Effective Ministry Team

Story by John H. Cress

Teams are important to the church. According to the Apostle Paul, the church as a whole is a team. He identifies the church as the “body of Christ” with many parts, which work together being gifted by the Holy Spirit, to accomplish the mission of the church. (1 Cor. 12) Any church that utilizes teams to accomplish God’s mission helps create the community God hopes will invigorate his church, helping to generate a sense of belonging that people were designed from creation to experience. 

Ministry teams have the potential to bring uncommon results. Andrew Carnegie recognized this when he noted, “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to obtain uncommon results.” Basketball coach Phil Jackson, who was skilled in building teams, held that “the strength of a team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”

Doing church as a team can be very simple when a duplicable pattern is used. That pattern would build teams of five to six individuals to accomplish some ministry of the church. These teams could be built following a six-point process.

 Step 1. Define the Scope of the Ministry

• Draw a Circle: This represents the scope and responsibilities of the ministry
• If it’s a new ministry, brainstorm a list of all the potential responsibilities or activities
• Name your ministry because with out a name, it’s hard to talk about it

Step 2. Define the Purpose of the Ministry

• Draw “cross-hairs” that define your aim — the PURPOSE of the ministry
• Write a short, easy to remember statement that describes why this ministry exists
• This purpose should indicate how this ministry will support the church’s vision

Step 3. Define the Key Functions

Ask three important questions:

1. If this ministry were divided into four separate functions, what would they be? (Put all the items you brainstormed when discussing the scope of the ministry under one of these four areas) 2. If these four functions happen will the ministry purpose be accomplished? 3. What would I call each function?

Step 4. Identify Qualifications Needed by Each Team Leader. Use S.H.A.P.E.

Spiritual Gifts:

Heart Passions:

Abilities:

Personality:

Experience:

Step 5. Select the Candidates.

• Make a list of people you believe would be the best candidates for the ministry position
• Work hard to match the names with the gifts required, temperament needed and spiritual maturity necessary for the position or task
• Pray for discernment and talk to others who have served with them before

 

Step 6. Recruit the Leaders.

• Don’t wait for the right person to volunteer or suddenly appear!  Make the ask
• Pray about the person you’ll ask to serve and the conversation you’ll share
• Share about the purpose, responsibilities and benefits of joining your team
• Invite them to take time to seek God’s will about where they serve
• Help them go through this same six step process to organize their team
• Equip the new team member to serve by providing the training and tools they need