The Dynamics of Team Ministry

It is important to understand the difference between a "group" and a "team." There is a big difference between these two concepts. We need to clarify what is meant by "team" and team ministry.

We can see the difference between a group and a team by using the illustration of people on an elevator. In a normal situation, when there are a number of people on an elevator, they would be a group, not a team. They may be together in the elevator, but their destination is not necessarily the same. They are probably not even going to the same floor. And even if happen to be going to the same floor, they are probably going there for different purposes. They are not there for the same purpose and they are not unified around that purpose. They are missing the two essential ingredients (or components) of an effective team: unity and purpose.

On the other hand, if something happened and the elevator got stuck, then suddenly there would be a need for unity and cooperation. What was previously just a group may unite around their common purpose to solve their dilemma. However, once their dilemma is resolved, the "team" will go back to being a "group."

This lesson will briefly examine several key components that are necessary to make a team. (We will look at them more fully in lesson 3.) These components for effective teamwork are:

• unity
• purpose
• order and action

Definition of "Team"

The following is a carefully constructed definition that ties together five key concepts pertaining to "team."

"A team is a group of people who are laboring together in an organized or coordinated way to accomplish a common purpose that is greater than what the individuals could accomplish by themselves."

ACTION

People "laboring" or "working" -- A team is a group of people who are doing something, implies action.

UNITY

People "together" -- a team laboring together implies unity.

ORDER

Effective teams work in an "organized & coordinated" manner, and with clear leadership.

PURPOSE

Effective teams labor together to accomplish a "common purpose," and that common purpose motivates their unity.

SYNERGY

the principle of synergy makes their accomplishments greater than what the individuals could accomplish by them selves.

Obviously, teams are not exclusive to the Christian community. But those who have as their purpose the advancement of the Kingdom of God are much better equipped, in my opinion, to make effective teams. Those who are are motivated and unified foremost by the Love of God, and consequently, love for His people; are much more equipped.

I also believe God wants to bring the Body of Christ into a level of unity and team ministry that is unprecedented in the history of the Church. Jesus prayed for that very thing in His great intercessory prayer of John 17. We all understand that the Father and the Son are one. But it is amazing how much He also wants that same unity with His creation: us. God will not stop until we are in as deep of fellowship and harmony together with Him and with one another as is the Father has with the Son. Jesus prayed in John 17:21, "That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us."

John, the apostle, carried this theme into his epistle in 1 John 1:3. He said, "that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." Jesus Himself said it again in Rev. 3:20: "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine (commune, fellowship) with him, and he with Me."

Now let's look at some other parts of Jesus' prayer in John 17. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3). "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one" (John 17:22).

So apparently, God desires unity within His people more than we would ever know. It is also important to understand that the ultimate source of our unity and fellowship is in Him. Jesus prayed to the Father, "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one" (John 17:23). This implies we can participate in the life of Jesus as He participates in the life of His Father; we can experience union with the life and eternal glory of Jesus, as He is united with the life and glory of His Father. That is, Jesus abiding in us as the Father abides in Him; experiencing fellowship with Jesus to the same degree that He has fellowshiped with the Father through out eternity.

But then, that is also the nature of our unity and fellowship with one another. We think of joyful, loving, life producing, abundant fellowship with God -- that, in turn, is what He wants us to experience with one another as well as with Him. Jesus gave this commandment, "That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John.13:34). He also said, ".. in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me" (Matt.25:40). Most of us would probably admit we aren't fully there yet, but this is Jesus' prayer and I think it will come to pass.

Consequently, we can also see that team ministry and teamwork will put to the test our level of maturity as followers of Jesus. A leading authority on prophetic ministry in the church today put it this way:

"The highest mark of maturity for a minister or saint is the ability to relate, integrate and cooperate with the rest of the Body of Christ." ~ Dr. Bill Hamon; Founder & Bishop of the Christian International Ministries Network - Prophetic Ministries and Churches.

In the long run, those who learn how to relate, integrate and cooperate will also find themselves much more effective in their ministry endeavors than the one who serves God from a "lone ranger" mentality. God wants us built together, and now is the time more than ever.

Dr David Cannistraci wrote an excellent book called "Apostles and the Emerging Apostolic Movement." One chapter is titled, "The kingdom net." It builds on the concept found in Ephesians 4:16, "from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love." Dr Cannistraci states that the trend away from denominationalism is giving way to things such as alliances and networks. Networks and alliances work from the basis of relationship rather than organizational structure. The Body of Christ is "joined together and united" through relationship. The key and operative word here is "relationship." Then Dr Cannistraci refers to the emerging apostolic movement. He states: "True apostles are people who are willing to merge their gifts with the gifts of others in the Body of Christ to properly establish the Kingdom. Apostles and prophets have a unique blending of gifts and often work together in this regard." This, of course, is team ministry at the leadership and trans-local level.

God needs leaders, as well as saints, who are courageous enough to stand alone when need be. But they also need to be wise and humble enough to recognize their need of corporateness. God needs individuals who, themselves, can embrace submission to the team process.