Every church has people who are entrusted with leadership at some level. Some of these people are team leaders, committee chairpersons, head deacon, ministry directors, lead a council or serve on the ministerial staff. Regardless of the leadership position you have been given, you must lead in the six following areas if you want your team to be effective.

 

Lead in prayer

Be sure your team knows you are praying for them. Send them an email, text, or verbally let them know you have prayed for them during the week. Also, make prayer a significant part of the agenda when you meet. Sometimes, call a meeting at your house to focus on prayer and the ministry/committee needs. Ask the questions: How can I pray for my team? How can I let them know I’m praying for them? How can we pray together more often? And more earnestly?(God’s word on prayer: 2 Chronicles 7:14; James 5:16; Colossians 4:2; Romans 12:12; Acts 2:42).

 

Lead in training

Your team will not improve without training. Bring in leadership from other churches or ministries who are at the next level. Let them share how they do what they do and let your team ask questions. In addition, read books that address your ministry and discuss the chapters. Give your team articles from magazines and pertinent blogs to the team. If possible, take a field trip to see another church do what you are trying to do. Create an atmosphere of learning, training, growing, and improving. Ask the questions: What training do we need? What do we need to understand about our ministry? Who can help us learn? (God’s word on training: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:12; Proverbs 11:14; 19:20; 24:6).

 

Lead in vision

Have a direction for your ministry. Set goals and steps that will take your team and ministry where God is leading it. Depending on how long you are at the lead (some committees have a three year rotation), ask and answer the vision questions: Where are we headed as a ministry? Where do we want to be in one year or three years? How do we get there? What do we need to get there? What needs to change in order to accomplish the vision? What is hindering the vision? What do we need to keep or let go of? Does my vision support the overall vision of the church’s leadership? As the team leader, you will need to help your team stay on track and revisit these questions often. (God’s word on vision and goals: Proverbs 21:5; 29:18; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Luke 14:28)

 

Lead in communication

When it comes to communication there are three groups that are essential. First: your team. Make contact with your team on a regular basis. Let them know what’s on the agenda for the next meeting, answer any questions they may have, and listen to their recommendations. Second: the ministerial staff. If you have a pastor that is connected to your team or committee keep them informed of what the team is working on, what’s coming up next, and if they need to be at the next meeting. Even if there is nothing to report, let them know that. Third: the congregation. As a team decide what they need to know at this time, answer any questions they may have, and give them some insight of what the team is working on. Ask the questions: What does my team need to know? What does the staff need to know? What does the church body need to know? What’s the best way to communicate to each group? How often do I need to contact them? (God’s word on communication: 3 John 1:13-14; Proverbs 18:21; Ephesians 4:29).

 

Lead in excellence

Do your best to lead well. Strive for excellence and quality in your training, communication, and productivity. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be done well. People like to be a part of something that is done thoroughly, carefully, properly and efficiently. Ask the questions: How can we do this better? What needs to be improved? Are we doing too much? (God’s word on excellence: Proverb 22:29; Daniel 6:3; Philippians 1:9; 4:8; Colossians 3:23; Titus 2:7; 2 Corinthians 8:7).

 

Lead in productivity

Get things done. Accomplish the goals. Create movement within your team and celebrate what you have achieved. No one wants to waste their time. Make sure your team has a sense of accomplishment. Ask the questions: What have I accomplished as team leader? What have we, as a team, accomplished? What do we need to accomplish? If there isn’t much productivity, then ask: Why have I not accomplished much? Why has the team not accomplished much? What needs to change in order to have a higher level of productivity from me and the team? (God’s word on productivity: Proverbs 1o:4; 12:11; 14:23; 16:3; Acts 20:35; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; James 1:22; Colossians 3:23).