Category: Equipping

The atmosphere and ethos in which a team operates are important for success. Here I continue to look at some of the characteristics of a positive environment based Phil 2:1. Love The ability to encourage comes from a root of love. God is love - what better reason for being able to love one another? Indeed, we have no option - it is a command of Jesus: ‘love one another as I have loved you' (Jn 13:34). His love was demonstrated so vividly in being prepared even to die for us that our relationship with God the Father might be restored. Love does not equate with ‘like'. It is inevitable that we do not like all people with the same intensity - we might even dislike some! Love is different.…

My last posting on Teams was last year, at the end of November. Since then I posted a series of ‘one off' blogs and also took a Christmas break. Now I would like to return to this series on ‘Teams that work'. But first I would like to talk about books. I was greatly encouraged recently to be told from different sources how helpful my book The Poor deserve the Best is proving to be. I am aware that it is difficult to obtain this book at present as the Newfrontiers Resources are being reorganised and not taking orders at present. So if you do not yet have a copy (or of the accompanying publication Embracing the Poor, which is also available on Amazon) I would be very pleased to…

Initiator/Responder Continuing our ‘pairs' of personality characteristics we will now consider the Initiator/Responder. This pairing is close to, but not identical with, Creator/Implementer. The Initiator is someone who wants to get on with the task in hand and is not frightened to take initiative. He or she will be willing to take the lead if there is no appointed leader. He will be peaceful about making decisions and taking responsibility for the consequences. The Responder is waiting for a leader but will then serve faithfully. He is secure in a team framework and is not looking for personal profile or recognition (though a bit of encouragement always helps!). A few years ago three couples in my local church approached the eldership to seek permission to start a ‘soup kitchen' for…

Personality tests? There are many personality tests which allow you and your colleagues to score yourselves in response to various questions. These result in defining you with particular personality types. For the team, or for serving in a church, I have found that a rather more pragmatic approach is often sufficient. Often people demonstrate certain characteristics by which people might define them: ‘Creative', ‘Initiator', ‘Extrovert' etc. Let's look at five such pairs and see how they can help us. Introvert/Extrovert A few years ago I had two excellent members of my staff team. For various reasons it was convenient for them to share an office. I soon discovered that something was wrong. Because they showed much grace it was necessary to be sensitive to dig out what the problem was.…

Matching need with availability Recently we explored the appointment of another trustee for the local church. (In the UK all churches have to be within a charity structure). The person I wanted (I am Chair) would have much to contribute and would complement the gifting already on the trustee body. But he is a very busy man and so I had a conversation with him spelling out the time commitment I would expect. As we spoke it became clear that, although he was very willing in principle, to load him with another responsibility would be too time consuming. What is the time for? It is important to analyse what an individual's time is needed for. In the case of our trustees I make it clear that I want them for…