There is a plethora of opportunities to serve people and the community in the church. Sometimes in the desire to meet the needs of our communites, churches groups embark on programs and events that their teams are not quite ready to operate.
If teams and or leaders are not equipped to launch, lead or work as part of a team on a project then the results of the event or program can be detrimental. This can impede the achievement of the desired goal and sometimes be detrimental to the people involved in the event or program.
Training
Training in some capacity is key. Below are 7 things that you want to make sure are communicated to and happen with those team members involved.
- What is the purpose of the event or program?
- How do you plan to accomplish the purpose? Do not assume no matter how straightforward the project seems, that everyone is on the same page. We all come from different backgrounds and what a church Elder role means to one person may be very different to someone else. (Read Titus to review the qualifications and role of an Elder.) Go back to the basics and build on that solid foundations.
- What is the reporting structure and clear roles of each member of the leadership and team? You most likely have heard the saying, “The buck stops here”. The buck seems to move around when clarity is not in place. We usually see this dancing money when something has gone wrong.
- Are there any confidentiality requirements and sign-offs necessary?
- Team meetings are important.
- Utilize the best option or combination of options in regards to your event and team members.
- Perhaps some meetings can be done via conference instead of in person.
- Do not let anyone hijack your meeting. Sometimes people just like to talk. Having an agenda and following it will help accomplish the desired goals for the meeting.
- Post meeting. Let your team know this meeting will happen and that together you will review, assess, adjust and record feedback for future occasions.
- Treat each other as you want to be treated. If we consciously try to do this, awesome things will happen!