Courageous Team Building
This blog is part 2 of me sharing my Catalyst West experience with you. Click here if you want to read part 1: Leading with Courage.
One of the speakers at the conference was Dave Ramsey, creator of Financial Peace University. Now, I’ve heard of Dave’s financial course many times. My previous church offered it on multiple occasions. But I never went. I’ll be honest, I’m not that great with managing money. But after hearing him speak (not even on the subject of money), I’m convinced I need to take his class. My church isn’t offering it, but I am committed to finding a course nearby that does and signing up. I need to get my finances in order and do a better job of handling my money in several areas: saving, giving and budgeting. How about you?
My favorite quote from his talk at Catalyst West: “Building a team can be the most rewarding part of the process.”
My spin on his quote: I need to put team building a higher priority than I have lately. Juggling so much, I’ve forgotten the importance of building a team and I’ve forgotten the joy that comes with it. In my previous church, I spent nearly 10 years building a dream team of leaders and volunteers. I had very capable leaders who were passionate about their work. Where I am currently serving, we’ve got a good team in place as well. When you have a good team, it is easy to go on auto pilot. Easy to forget about the importance of pouring into your team, encouraging and equipping them. You forget that building is both fun and rewarding. When you look back, it might be the most rewarding and fulfilling part of what you accomplished.
So, I’m ready to start pouring more into my team. How about you? Who can you take under your wing and mentor? How will you equip core leaders? How will you empower your entire team? Who needs encouragement? Who needs some training?
Building a team takes courage and involves risk. Avoid getting comfortable, like I did, and going on auto pilot. Have the courage to build a dream team and enjoy the process!
4 Replies to “Courageous Team Building”
Maggie Short
This is exactly what I needed to read on this very day! God is answering my prayers AGAIN!
I have been so frustrated with trying to build teams as the Children’s Ministries Lead at my church. It seems that no one has time and simply does not want to be involved any more than the minutes they are with the children on Sunday morning or Tuesday evening. However, when I read your article that said “building teams takes courage and involves risk” and “Avoid getting comfortable….and going on auto pilot”, I was spiritually slapped up the back of my head. OF COURSE! The reason team building is so difficult is because it is so valuable. And not only that, I realized that my REASON for wanting to build a team was to provide me with more time to coast through my job. Thank you for the wisdom I needed!! Now I have some work to do!!
ndiliberto
Wow, I can certainly relate to building a team in order to coast through my job. It really is a temptation! And not many people are honest enough or self-aware enough to admit that to themselves. Thanks for the comment!
Jackie D.
How do we get to that point when no one wants to help?? In our church I think people do it because they feel like they NEED to, not because they are excited or feel called to do it. How do we get them pumped up about volunteering with the youth without all the eye rolling? This article does speak to me, reminding me of the work invovled and that it all takes time. Unfortunately I think I’m one of those people that expects change over night!
ndiliberto
My take on getting team members fired up and excited about serving: When communicating the need for new team members, don’t beg. Invite them to be a part of something bigger than themselves, to a vision of God moving in young people’s lives. As the leader, be excited and passionate. Have a vision and talk about it frequently. Point out to team members how they are contributing to the greater vision. Just my thoughts 🙂
Comments are closed.