Category: Team

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…

The right mix When building a team a leader needs to have a range of people who are able to bring unique features to that team's welfare and performance which, together, represent a balanced and equipped team. For a team that is focused on creating an event, such as the Newfrontiers Together on a Mission Conference referred to earlier, the skill set will be very critical. It will need to include people with relevant skills for the event and who can carry the appropriate level of responsibility. This may arise from natural talent, training or a combination of the two. For the longer-term team, such as an eldership team or trustees of a church, specific skills may be less prominent; spiritual gifting, character and spiritual maturity may feature more prominently.…