Ministry Teams at Central

By Keith Wright, Consultant for Equipping Ministries

Central's leadership has recognized that the future of lay ministry lies in equipping and empowering ministry teams. Already, the transition from a traditional, committee structure to the ministry team approach is well underway. Whenever a major change occurs, people wonder how the new model works, how to function in the new paradigm, and what "best practices" will help them succeed.

The aims of a church committee and a ministry team are fundamentally different. Ministry teams are a hybrid of a committee and small group. They follow proven procedures that enable them to get the work done effectively, but also place a high premium on relationships between team members. Successful teams enable members to use their spiritual gifts, experiences, and passions to build the Kingdom of God. Along the way, everyone grows closer to Christ and to one another.

Accomplishing ministry tasks and developing Christian community are gifts of God, but also require human responsibility. Effective ministry teams will not develop by happenstance, but insist on commitment, focus, and implementing positive group dynamics. By identifying the team's purpose, clarifying roles and expectations, and providing training, ministry teams can advance God's Kingdom and be a rewarding experience.

Each team should seek to fill these roles:

• Players - At the heart of the ministry team concept is a group of people committed to one another and a particular ministry. Ministering in community increases the creativity, enhances prayer support, spreads the workload, and multiplies the joy.
• Head Coach - Ideally, a Head Coach has the spiritual gift of leadership, a God-given passion for the ministry, and a commitment for it to expand and deepen. The Head Coach finds satisfaction from equipping and empowering others to fulfill their role on the team.
• Team Captains - Some ministry tasks are more complex or require a division of labor. In order to be more effective in utilizing team member's gifts, some teams might consider appointing Team Captains to oversee certain aspects of the team's work.
• Cheerleader - Each ministry team might consider appointing a "vision champion" to advocate on behalf of the ministry.
• Chaplain - Many athletic teams have official chaplains who challenge and nurture the players. Teams might consider appointing a chaplain to bring a biblical "thought piece" to each team meeting, and "pastor" team members between meetings.
• The Bench - Demands on certain ministries ebb and flow throughout the year. These teams should identify the busy seasons, along with people who can help them fulfill short-term tasks.
• Coaches - Some people may not be on a single team, but have discovered that their ministry lies in coordinating and enabling the work of the ministry teams.