Teamwork - a long entry

Wayne Gretzky knows a little about hockey.  In an interview during Canada’s Gold medal game, he mentioned the value that  the Canadian team players put on “team”.  20 of the top young hockey players in Canada (and the world) put aside their individual goals and ego’s and decided to play for one common purpose - to win.  

I don’t think anyone who’s ever played a team sport would argue about this point.  So here’s a question I’ve been chewing on - How does teamwork play out in a staff at a church?  Does it matter?  Would the church look any different if pastoral staff just took care of their individual areas of responsibility and never focused on the “team”?  

If I were to research growing ministries vs. dying (or maintaining) ministries, I’m guessing that “teamwork” has something to do with the growth (a huge assumption I know).   Churches that are plateauing or have lost momentum probably don’t have a strong view of a team and a common goal.  Whether they know it or not, the staff and ministries are well meaning people who are doing their best but are lacking the focus and motivation to work toward a common goal as a whole church.   

Here’s a hypothetical example; Church on the northside is a traditional church that has existed for 30 years.  If anyone (from the outside) would look at the church, they could tell you that they are mearly existing and not really “reaching” anyone.  There seems to be no momentum  or excitement.  The senior pastor is convinced his way of “reaching”people or growing the church is right.  The leadership will support him but in the back of their minds they feel differently.  The music pastor feels the way to reach people is different than the senior pastors so he takes every opportunity to share this with his worship teams.  The children’s pastor is trying her best but feels that childrens ministry is the most important ministry in the church.  She feels lonely and isolated, so she vents her frustrations with her staff and parents.   The youth pastor is young and excited but feels that his role is to train church kids in theology and do nothing else.   O.K.   This situation is TOTALLY hypothetical but very realistic at the same time.  I’m not thinking of any certain church or ministry but I’m sure that many churches this scenario is playing out over and over. 

What’s the problem?  The pastoral “team” is not working together.  They have their own goals and own systems that they feel will work the best and none of them are supporting a common goal (or each other).   The congregation is hearing different messages wherever they go and therefore they are divided as to who’s idea’s or leadership is the best.  The result is turmoil and accomplishing nothing. 

What is needed?  The team to get together and decide what message and method they will all use.  Decide, as a staff, to support that message and method or GET OUT!   If a staff member cannot support the common goal or vision in public (or private) than that staff member should not be on staff.  It’s not that it’s a bad church, or he/she a bad pastor - it’s just not a good fit. 

It really comes down to PRIDE.  Are church staff members willing to get behind something (even though they might now agree 100%) and support it?  Would you, as a pastoral staff, be willing to give up your style of ministry or structure of ministry for the sake of one common purpose?   

I see superstars sit the bench and play on the fourth line just to win a gold medal.  Would it be too difficult for some staff members to change their attitude at times to support a win? 

Those are my thoughts.  It’s a great topic that I might sit on for a while.

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