All about teams and teamwork

1. Serving the Lord through By Rev. Bong Baylon

3. Probing Questions Why does your church do what it does in the way that it does? (Try to give a one sentence answer) Is it efficient? Is it effective? (Be honest) If it is not efficient or effective, answer this question: “Why does your church continue to do what it does in the face of clear evidences that it is not efficient or not effective or both?” On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you gauge your willingness to change the way you do things in your church? (1 not willing, 5 very willing)

5. “Teams may not always work.” Acts 15:36-41 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing."

6. “Teams may not always work.” Acts 15:36-41 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

7. “Teams may not always work.” Acts 15:36-41 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

8. “Teams may not always work.” Teams are not the miracle cure for all our ministry problems. It may be one of the key solutions but it must be based on a proper analysis of our present ministry context.

9. “Teams may not always work.” Teams and Teamwork are not the same. The use of “Teams” is a strategy decision involving organizational structure.

10. Definition of a Team A Team is a small group of people with complementary skills, who are committed to a common purpose and a set of mutually agreed-upon performance goals…

11. Definition of a Team …and who are willing to communicate with each other regularly through meetings and other forms of communication…

12. Definition of a Team …to work together in-between meetings by fulfilling their individual tasks as assigned by the group…

13. Definition of a Team …and then to hold each other accountable for the completion of such tasks as defined by the group…

14. Definition of a Team …until such time that they are able to fulfill their common purpose and mutually agreed-upon performance goals to the satisfaction of every member of the group.

15. “Teams may not always work.” Teams and Teamwork are not the same. Teams are entirely different from “small groups,” or “ministry groups” (which are sometimes misleadingly called “ministry teams” also).

16. “Teams may not always work.” Teams and Teamwork are not the same. The use of “Teams” is a strategy decision involving organizational structure.

17. “Teams may not always work.” Teams and Teamwork are not the same. The use of “Teamwork” is an identity decision involving organizational values.

18. Philippians 1:27-28 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God.

19. Teams and teamworkmust not be confusedor else your churchwill be confused!

20. “Teams may not always work.” Teamwork is always essential as an organizational value but teams are not always essential in the way we do things.

21. The value of teamwork is essential It celebrates our unity within our diversity. It strengthens the church as a whole body. It protects the church from the “one man rule”. It accomplishes more through the power of synergy. It brings about real growth (both qualitative and quantitative).

22. The need for teams is not essential but wise! Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

23. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. The need for teams is not essential but wise!

24. The need for teams is not essential but wise! When the work is complex When the work needs collaboration and cooperation When the work needs complementary skill sets When the work context is always changing When the work tends toward chaos and confusion

25. It’s not a sin to usework groups or task groups,rather than teams,in doing ministry.But it is wise to use teamsespecially nowbecause of our presentministry context!

26. “Teams may not always work.” In order to create teams, and for teams to work, the value of teamwork must first be embedded into the culture of the church.

27. “Teams may not always work.” It must be a preferred value or it will become a neglected value or a rejected value.

28. “Teams may not always work.” Our actions will speak louder than our words! To implement teams we must be willing to pursue organizational transformation (i.e. the “bitter pill” of change).

29. Nature of traditional organizations The locus of power and authority is top-down The structure is defined by middle grids or silos (departments) that do not cooperate with each other horizontally. Poor communication systems (e.g. need-to-know basis only) Reactive and defensive decision making mostly from the top

30. Nature of traditional organizations Reverse motivational (i.e. rewards and punishments) system No ownership of mission and vision below the senior leadership level Inability to adapt and learn quickly (i.e. the curse of non-learning organizations)

31. Barriers to effective transformation to implement teams and teamwork Paradigms & cultures Fears Complacency Modality mindset

32. If we are not willingto change,teams will not work!

33. Discussion Would there be an advantage in your ministry if you make a distinction between the concept of team and the concept of teamwork? Why do you say so? If there are groups in your church that you call teams, based on the definition given earlier, can you really say they are teams or are they just work/ministry groups? Why do you say so? In other words, do you have real teams in your church? Is teamwork already a value in your present ministry situation? Why do you say so? Can you give some illustrations or proofs that it is so?

34. Discussion Which ministries in your present church can really benefit from the concept of team? Which ministries are best served by work/ministry groups only? Is your church ready for the concept of teams? If not, what are the barriers that might prevent you from introducing teams? If yes, how do you plan to introduce it?

36. “A Team must be Born First before it can be Made.” Acts 13:1-3 1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

37. “A Team must be Born First before it can be Made.” Once a church is ready to create teams, it must make sure that the following people are already present in the church before giving birth to teams. Team Champion Team Supervisor or sponsor Team Leader

38. A Team Leader Facilitates by… Focusing the team Asking the right questions Clarifying answers Introducing “what if” scenarios Listening actively Identifying “blind sides” Teaching group processes Aiming for consensus Tracking discussions by summarizing Empowering the team to decide and act on its own

39. “A Team must be Born First before it can be Made.” Once a church is ready to create teams, it must make sure that the following people are already present in the church before giving birth to teams. Team Champion Team Supervisor or sponsor Team Leader Team Members

40. Who can/should join a Team? They must have credibility They must have competence They must have commitment They must have chemistry

41. “A Team must be Born First before it can be Made.” Once a church is ready to create teams, it must make sure that the following people are already present in the church before giving birth to teams. A team is born only when a Team Leader and two or more Team Members unite together toward one common purpose which each member can own without any reservation.

42. Philippians 2:1-4 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

43. Elements of Purpose A clear mission A clear set of performance goals A clear set of values A clear set of assumptions or philosophy of ministry A simple strategy or working approach

44. Visioneering How to discover team purpose Purpose

45. Application Identify those people in your church who can fulfill various team-related roles. Remember, if you are the senior pastor, you should be the Team Champion as much as possible. Decide how you will give birth to the teams, either through a Team Supervisor/Sponsor or Team Leader. Try to identify the pros and cons of each option before deciding. Plan how you will help your potential teams to discover their purpose. Set a time table, etc.

47. “It takes a Group to become a Team.” Mark 9:50 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other."

48. “It takes a Group to become a Team.” All teams must first start as a group – a real group! There’s a big difference between a collection of individuals and a group. You simply have a collection of individuals when each person present has his or her own agenda to take care of, which may or may not conform to the purpose of the group.

49. “It takes a Group to become a Team.” All teams must first start as a group – a real group! There’s a big difference between a collection of individuals and a group. You have a real group when each person present understands the purpose of the group and is willing to fulfill that purpose together with the group.

50. “It takes a Group to become a Team.” Individuals go through various stages of assimilation in a group, so the group does not develop in a linear fashion.

51. Traditional understanding of group development Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning

52. Dynamic process of assimilation Publicidentification Socialbelonging Personalfriendship Intimate partnership

53. “It takes a Group to become a Team.” Individuals go through various stages of assimilation in a group, so the group does not develop in a linear fashion. A collection of individuals can only become a group if they go through the following together over time.

54. Becoming a Real Group Constant interaction Care for one another Common experiences Conflict resolutions Completion of goals

55. Think about a group you’re leading Am I leading a group or just a collection of individuals? Looking at each member of my group, how would I gauge their assimilation into the group? (Use the categories of the dynamic process of assimilation) How would I describe our journey as a group? Are we shrinking back because of the challenges of becoming a group? Are we courageously forging ahead? Are we stuck? What would I do differently starting tomorrow to help my group become a real group? Am I passionate enough to see this collection of individuals become a real group and then eventually become a real team over time? Why?

57. “A Group must work together as a Team to become a real team.” Philippians 2:19-30 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

58. “A Group must work together as a Team to become a real team.” Philippians 2:19-30 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

59. “A Group must work together as a Team to become a real team.” Philippians 2:19-30 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

60. “A Group must work together as a Team to become a real team.” Philippians 2:19-30 25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.

61. “A Group must work together as a Team to become a real team.” Philippians 2:19-30 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

62. “A Group must work together as a Team to become a real team.” Philippians 2:19-30 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

63. “A Group must work together as a Team to become a real team.” Philippians 2:19-30 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

64. “A Group must work together as a Team to become a real team.” A group can have the potential to become a team once it decides to do ministry together. But most groups are not self-aware as to how they’re doing ministry.

65. Five Ways to do Ministry As a work/ministry group As a pseudo-team As a potential team As a real team As a high-performance team

66. “A Group must work together as a Team to become a real team.” A group can have the potential to become a team once it decides to do ministry together. But most groups are not self-aware as to how they’re doing ministry. A group must intentionally pursue the basics of being a team in order to have the potential to become a high-performance team over time.

67. Definition of a Team A Team is a small group of people with complementary skills, who are committed to a common purpose and a set of mutually agreed-upon performance goals…

68. Definition of a Team …and who are willing to communicate with each other regularly through meetings and other forms of communication…

69. Definition of a Team …to work together in-between meetings by fulfilling their individual tasks as assigned by the group…

70. Definition of a Team …and then to hold each other accountable for the completion of such tasks as defined by the group…

71. Definition of a Team …until such time that they are able to fulfill their common purpose and mutually agreed-upon performance goals to the satisfaction of every member of the group.

72. Difficulty of Executive Teams They tend to identify their purpose with the purpose of the church. Membership in the team tends to be automatic because of their positions in the church. The role and contributions of team members tend to be defined by their functional positions in the church rather than as team members.

73. Difficulty of Executive Teams There is not enough time for them to become a real group and consequently to become a real team. Their effectiveness as a team is measured only in terms of their discussions rather than their actual work as a team.

74. Characteristics of True Community Single purpose (v.2) Selfless pursuit (v.3) Small-group perspective (v.4) Servant posture (vv.5-11) Steady progress (vv.12-13)

75. Think of a group that is supposed to be a team in your church Are they small enough in number? ___ Do they have adequate levels of complementary skills and skill potential in all three categories? ___ Do they have a clear sense of purpose that all members own? ___ Do they have a specific set of performance goals agreed upon by all? ___

76. Think of a group that is supposed to be a team in your church Have they agreed on their working approach or strategy? ___ Do they hold themselves accountable individually as well as mutually in fulfilling their purpose and performance goals? ___ Are they willing to set aside their own ego for the purpose of the group? ___

77. Think of a group that is supposed to be a team in your church Are they willing to multiply the group? ___ Are they willing to serve one another in love? ___ Are they willing to help one another grow and succeed? ___

79. What’s themost memorablelesson You’ve learned Today?