When I was in Kenya last year and ministering with Pastor Laban and Pastor Mary Johnson from Voice for Jesus Ministries, I observed one thing about several of the pastors and ministers there. They all encouraged one another and came out to support a visiting pastor or minister. The “team spirit” was very strong. Whether you are part of a mission, evangelistic, crisis & trauma care team, or belong to a team in your church. These thoughts and tips can help!
Some beginning thoughts about being on a team…
It’s like being in a marriage – it takes being comitted to one another.
Financial problems will be one area the enemy trys to divide your team.
Cultural adjustments must be recognized and not judged as being right or wrong.
Ripe fields only come through fertile ground. Creating fertile ground takes teamwork!
Why do people quit a team?
Impatience on waiting for results or God to move.
Inability to adapt to culture – a desire to remain in a bubble.
Lack of fruitfulness.
Be careful of the vows you make.
“God doesn’t care.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Teams take patience and perseverance. A dreamer doesn’t persevere, but a visionary perseveres till the end. Quotes from L. M. Montgomery – Anne of Green Gables… that will help you to have a healthy and happy team.
“It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.”
“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”
“True friends are always together in spirit. (Anne Shirley)”
“Oh, it’s delightful to have ambitions. I’m so glad I have such a lot. And there never seems to be any end to them– that’s the best of it. Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life so interesting.”
“Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.”
In closing, if you want a healthy and successful team… remember the “e” in team includes “everyone.” There is no “I” in team….
From Ashes to Beauty,
Cinderella Released
