I have ben using Phil 2:1 to look at some of the features which create a positive environment in which a team can work. We shall now look at the characteristics and attitudes of the team itself through the next few verses.
Complete joy
As a team leader on many occasions and in many situations I can [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 13. A United Team
The atmosphere and ethos in which a team operates are important for success. Here I continue to look at some of the characteristics of a positive environment based Phil 2:1.
Love
The ability to encourage comes from a root of love. God is love - what better reason for being able to love one another? Indeed, we [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 12. A positive context
My last posting on Teams was last year, at the end of November. Since then I posted a series of ‘one off’ blogs and also took a Christmas break. Now I would like to return to this series on ‘Teams that work’. But first I would like to talk about books.
I was greatly encouraged recently [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 11. Togetherness
Initiator/Responder
Continuing our ‘pairs’ of personality characteristics we will now consider the Initiator/Responder. This pairing is close to, but not identical with, Creator/Implementer. The Initiator is someone who wants to get on with the task in hand and is not frightened to take initiative. He or she will be willing to take the lead if there [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 10. Personality 2
Personality tests?
There are many personality tests which allow you and your colleagues to score yourselves in response to various questions. These result in defining you with particular personality types. For the team, or for serving in a church, I have found that a rather more pragmatic approach is often sufficient.
Often people demonstrate certain characteristics by [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 9. Personality 1
Matching need with availability
Recently we explored the appointment of another trustee for the local church. (In the UK all churches have to be within a charity structure). The person I wanted (I am Chair) would have much to contribute and would complement the gifting already on the trustee body. But he is a very busy [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 8. Time availability
Spiritual maturity
Any team leader would like spiritually mature people on his team. Clearly, when building an apostolically-appointed eldership team this is not negotiable. Elders must have their own walk with God and be able to ‘take the rough with the smooth’ without falling apart.
The people who are following must have the security that the church [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 7. Spiritual maturity
The role of the Spirit
When Jesus returned to the Father he said to the disciples that it was good that he was going away so that the Holy Spirit would come (John 14). How is the Spirit manifest? Apart from his speaking to us and drawing our attention to Jesus in worship he gives us [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 6. Spiritual Gifts
The right mix
When building a team a leader needs to have a range of people who are able to bring unique features to that team’s welfare and performance which, together, represent a balanced and equipped team. For a team that is focused on creating an event, such as the Newfrontiers Together on a Mission Conference [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 5. Who is suitable?
Together > Equipped > Achieve > Mission
Working backwards through the TEAM mnemonic - Together > Equipped > Achieve > Mission - we have dealt with Mission and Achieve. We now need to examine how to determine the makeup and dynamics of the team to allow us to be best equipped to achieve our mission.
Diversity of [...]
Continue reading about Teams that work - pt 4. Building a team
