TEAM WORK PHILOSOPHY - by Ed Alexander
Ministry Purpose Statement
By means of teamwork is to practice evangelism and discipleship in the church planting context, to facilitate spiritual growth and form believers into indigenous Baptist churches.
Although the I don’t believe the NT mandates the exact methodology of church planting, it certainly gives us clear examples of methodology. If there is any example that recurs, it is teamwork. The central church planting figure in the NT is the apostle Paul, and it is difficult to find him in any situation alone. He always seems to be leading some type of team effort.
An interesting example to study is the founding of the church at Thessalonica. This church was founded by Paul and coworkers in a very short period of time, and yet was very well grounded in the faith. God used the team effort to produce a very strong, indigenous local church.
Advantages of Teamwork:
1. Fellowship- an opportunity to share a common vision and be mutually encouraged to fulfill common goals.
2. An antidote to discouragement and loneliness.
3. Continuity of the work- furloughs can be coordinated so that the church is never without one of its founding missionaries. The work can
continue to progress even though one of the missionaries is absent. One of the greatest difficulties a missionary working alone faces is the
regression of the work that has been accomplished when he takes his furlough. When he returns, he often feels like he is starting all over since
there was no one to maintain the direction and ministry motivation he established in the church while present.
4. Better distribution of resources- missionaries have varying gifts, strengths as wells as weaknesses, in their ministry capacities. Working in a
team gives each missionary the opportunity to work in their areas of strength. By working with someone who has other strengths, it also gives a
missionary an opportunity to be mentored over a longer period of time by someone who excels in their area of weakness.
5. Efficiency
a. More work can be accomplished in shorter period of time. The church can reach maturity more quickly since more than one
missionary is involved in discipleship and spiritual development of new believers.
b. One difficulty with a long stay in a church plant is the peoples’ attachment to the missionary and his ministry style. This make the
transition to a national pastor more difficult. If a team can reduce the time it takes to bring a church to maturity, the attachment to the
missionary has less impact on the church.
c. Teamwork can also expose the church to varying ministry personalities and styles, better preparing the church for a transition to a
national pastor who is “different than the missionary.” In a single-missionary church plant, the new convert becomes acquainted with only one
missionary’s style of ministry. In a team with multiple personnel, a convert can see that not all missionaries approach ministry in the same
manner, and each style has its strengths and appeal. This better prepares the people to accept a national pastor who does not have an
approach identical to that of the senior missionary.
Teamwork- definition
1. It is not simply putting two or three missionaries in the same work. Putting people together in the same ministry location does not
necessarily produce unity of purpose and philosophy.
2. It is not assistant pastorship- Some pastors have an assistant to aide them in ministry, to help them implement their goals and vision. This is
a legitimate role, but is not the same as teamwork
3. Teamwork is shared leadership and vision casting. It is formulating together a ministry vision and philosophy, a willingness to let all
participate in the decision making process, and the implementation of that ministry vision.
4. There must be a leader for a team to function, and he is generally an experienced missionary. However, his role is not as much to dictate the
vision as to guide its formulation and facilitate its implementation. Each team member must feel they can make a contribution to the vision (where
we are going and how we want to get there) and can have a role on a regular basis in seeing that vision implemented.
5. For teamwork to function, to create and implement a common vision, all members must have a say and a significant role. At the same time,
their must exist flexibility and servanthood. If any team member feels the need to constantly dominate, and to force his ideas, the team will not
function for long. All need to feel their ideas are valued, and can be tried, so long as the team’s guiding principles are not violated.
Recommendations/Pitfalls
1. Before a team is formulated, there must be a careful discussion of doctrinal position, ministry practices, and ministry/personal standards. It
is not necessary to agree on every minor detail in every area. But there must be basic philosophical unity along with an understanding of our
differences: either we agree to live with certain areas of difference, or the differing team member agrees to cheerfully accept and give his support
to a certain practice while we work together. If there is disunity among the missionaries, it will create divisive difficulties for the nationals. The
missionaries must present a united front on essential issues.
2. Not all men were made for teamwork. Some men are good missionaries doing a good work, but are unable to function well in a teamwork
setting. Because a missionary is a “good man” does not necessarily mean he would make a good partner for teamwork.
3. Flexibility in relationships and roles is essential. A servant is someone who works to make another successful. Each team member must
feel that “we are in this for each other and the Lord.” I may not always be able to do what I want to do, or the way I would like to do it. Although
ideally teamwork allows us to work in our strong areas, sometimes I will have to work in areas where I have no strengths or that I don’t enjoy
immensely.
4. A willingness to consider new ideas- This is not about a shift in basic ministry philosophy, standards or essential biblical principles. This
comes down to how each of us does things as compared to how you, or anyone’s else does his work. There must be a willingness to modify and
adapt if the team as a whole feels the change will be helpful. There may be failures, but the beauty of teamwork is that I don’t have to assume the
responsibility alone! We share both successes and failures. And often even a failed idea can teach us something we would not have learned if
we hadn’t tried. By working in a team, a person will probably attempt things he would not have attempted on my own.
5. Efforts must remain coordinated. Even though I have specific responsibilities, I should know what everyone else is doing. This keeps us all
accountable, allows to be aware when someone else needs help, and keeps us from duplicating efforts. Team members who have gained
ministry experience should have some autonomy to carry out their area of ministry and decide certain details. However, everyone should know
what has been decided/implemented by all the others in their area of ministry. Conflicts arise when we only know after the fact what is going to be
done and by whom.
6. There should be a stated willingness on the part of each missionary to peacefully withdraw from the team if an insuperable difference
becomes evident. The unity and health of God’s work as well as ethical conduct must be more important than a personal difference or grievance.
7. All missionaries should be aware that we are building loyalty to the Lord and the church, not to ourselves. The people need to sense from
the beginning that the missionaries know their ministry is limited and is only preparatory to that of the national pastor. If a national pastor is
working with the team, it is important to take every opportunity to build him up in the people’s eyes and deflect loyalty to him.
8. Because there are multiple missionaries in a team, often missionaries in other works will ask for help covering their furloughs. Occasional
help could be offered, but taking a missionary off the team for several months to “cover” for someone else defeats one of the important purposes
of team work.
John Maxwell has said (in The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, Thomas Nelson, p.4,5) “As much as we admire solo achievement, the truth is
that no lone individual has done anything of significant value.”
Gary Anderson-Independence taken too far is raw selfishness.
3 John 1:1-8
By means of teamwork is to practice evangelism and discipleship in the church planting context, to facilitate spiritual growth and form believers into indigenous Baptist churches.
Although the I don’t believe the NT mandates the exact methodology of church planting, it certainly gives us clear examples of methodology. If there is any example that recurs, it is teamwork. The central church planting figure in the NT is the apostle Paul, and it is difficult to find him in any situation alone. He always seems to be leading some type of team effort.
An interesting example to study is the founding of the church at Thessalonica. This church was founded by Paul and coworkers in a very short period of time, and yet was very well grounded in the faith. God used the team effort to produce a very strong, indigenous local church.
Advantages of Teamwork:
1. Fellowship- an opportunity to share a common vision and be mutually encouraged to fulfill common goals.
2. An antidote to discouragement and loneliness.
3. Continuity of the work- furloughs can be coordinated so that the church is never without one of its founding missionaries. The work can
continue to progress even though one of the missionaries is absent. One of the greatest difficulties a missionary working alone faces is the
regression of the work that has been accomplished when he takes his furlough. When he returns, he often feels like he is starting all over since
there was no one to maintain the direction and ministry motivation he established in the church while present.
4. Better distribution of resources- missionaries have varying gifts, strengths as wells as weaknesses, in their ministry capacities. Working in a
team gives each missionary the opportunity to work in their areas of strength. By working with someone who has other strengths, it also gives a
missionary an opportunity to be mentored over a longer period of time by someone who excels in their area of weakness.
5. Efficiency
a. More work can be accomplished in shorter period of time. The church can reach maturity more quickly since more than one
missionary is involved in discipleship and spiritual development of new believers.
b. One difficulty with a long stay in a church plant is the peoples’ attachment to the missionary and his ministry style. This make the
transition to a national pastor more difficult. If a team can reduce the time it takes to bring a church to maturity, the attachment to the
missionary has less impact on the church.
c. Teamwork can also expose the church to varying ministry personalities and styles, better preparing the church for a transition to a
national pastor who is “different than the missionary.” In a single-missionary church plant, the new convert becomes acquainted with only one
missionary’s style of ministry. In a team with multiple personnel, a convert can see that not all missionaries approach ministry in the same
manner, and each style has its strengths and appeal. This better prepares the people to accept a national pastor who does not have an
approach identical to that of the senior missionary.
Teamwork- definition
1. It is not simply putting two or three missionaries in the same work. Putting people together in the same ministry location does not
necessarily produce unity of purpose and philosophy.
2. It is not assistant pastorship- Some pastors have an assistant to aide them in ministry, to help them implement their goals and vision. This is
a legitimate role, but is not the same as teamwork
3. Teamwork is shared leadership and vision casting. It is formulating together a ministry vision and philosophy, a willingness to let all
participate in the decision making process, and the implementation of that ministry vision.
4. There must be a leader for a team to function, and he is generally an experienced missionary. However, his role is not as much to dictate the
vision as to guide its formulation and facilitate its implementation. Each team member must feel they can make a contribution to the vision (where
we are going and how we want to get there) and can have a role on a regular basis in seeing that vision implemented.
5. For teamwork to function, to create and implement a common vision, all members must have a say and a significant role. At the same time,
their must exist flexibility and servanthood. If any team member feels the need to constantly dominate, and to force his ideas, the team will not
function for long. All need to feel their ideas are valued, and can be tried, so long as the team’s guiding principles are not violated.
Recommendations/Pitfalls
1. Before a team is formulated, there must be a careful discussion of doctrinal position, ministry practices, and ministry/personal standards. It
is not necessary to agree on every minor detail in every area. But there must be basic philosophical unity along with an understanding of our
differences: either we agree to live with certain areas of difference, or the differing team member agrees to cheerfully accept and give his support
to a certain practice while we work together. If there is disunity among the missionaries, it will create divisive difficulties for the nationals. The
missionaries must present a united front on essential issues.
2. Not all men were made for teamwork. Some men are good missionaries doing a good work, but are unable to function well in a teamwork
setting. Because a missionary is a “good man” does not necessarily mean he would make a good partner for teamwork.
3. Flexibility in relationships and roles is essential. A servant is someone who works to make another successful. Each team member must
feel that “we are in this for each other and the Lord.” I may not always be able to do what I want to do, or the way I would like to do it. Although
ideally teamwork allows us to work in our strong areas, sometimes I will have to work in areas where I have no strengths or that I don’t enjoy
immensely.
4. A willingness to consider new ideas- This is not about a shift in basic ministry philosophy, standards or essential biblical principles. This
comes down to how each of us does things as compared to how you, or anyone’s else does his work. There must be a willingness to modify and
adapt if the team as a whole feels the change will be helpful. There may be failures, but the beauty of teamwork is that I don’t have to assume the
responsibility alone! We share both successes and failures. And often even a failed idea can teach us something we would not have learned if
we hadn’t tried. By working in a team, a person will probably attempt things he would not have attempted on my own.
5. Efforts must remain coordinated. Even though I have specific responsibilities, I should know what everyone else is doing. This keeps us all
accountable, allows to be aware when someone else needs help, and keeps us from duplicating efforts. Team members who have gained
ministry experience should have some autonomy to carry out their area of ministry and decide certain details. However, everyone should know
what has been decided/implemented by all the others in their area of ministry. Conflicts arise when we only know after the fact what is going to be
done and by whom.
6. There should be a stated willingness on the part of each missionary to peacefully withdraw from the team if an insuperable difference
becomes evident. The unity and health of God’s work as well as ethical conduct must be more important than a personal difference or grievance.
7. All missionaries should be aware that we are building loyalty to the Lord and the church, not to ourselves. The people need to sense from
the beginning that the missionaries know their ministry is limited and is only preparatory to that of the national pastor. If a national pastor is
working with the team, it is important to take every opportunity to build him up in the people’s eyes and deflect loyalty to him.
8. Because there are multiple missionaries in a team, often missionaries in other works will ask for help covering their furloughs. Occasional
help could be offered, but taking a missionary off the team for several months to “cover” for someone else defeats one of the important purposes
of team work.
John Maxwell has said (in The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, Thomas Nelson, p.4,5) “As much as we admire solo achievement, the truth is
that no lone individual has done anything of significant value.”
Gary Anderson-Independence taken too far is raw selfishness.
3 John 1:1-8