SBTC Women - Going for the Prize

Going for the Prize: A Checklist for a Winning Team

Written by Anita Onarecker Wood, SBTC Women’s Ministry Regional Representative

Women’s ministry uses the team concept for leadership. While this is a great way to provide leadership in ministry, it may not be the typical idea to some women. My husband grew up in the 1950’s where young boys in the neighborhood gathered after school in the afternoons, or on Saturdays, to play touch football. He told me how the boys seemed to have an innate sense of what a team was, and what a team required. After our conversation, I reflected upon women who lead teams, and women who are trying to form teams in their local church.

A team is similar to a body – various parts that must work together as one toward goals. Discipline and clear direction are two necessary things to enable the body or team to win the prize. Review these familiar verses of Philippians 3:13, 14:

“Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. The Message Bible.

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” NASB

Oswald Chambers (1874-1979) may have had this passage in mind when he said, “We have a bodily machine which we must regulate. God does not regulate it for us. Until we learn to bring the bodily machine into harmony with God's will, there will be friction, and the friction is a warning that part of the machine is not in working order."

Read the checklist below. I hope it will serve as a guideline for discussion, and help your team function in a healthy manner, keeping your eyes on the prize. Women I personally know who serve in women’s ministry have a common heart cry: to bring honor and glory to God through ministry to women. Pray as a team to discover God’s desire and direction.

Who is the team leader? What does she do?

Lead by example. A healthy body requires a head, and the head directs the body. Teams require a leader -- and someone is ultimately responsible to the pastor for leading this team. This leader understands her value to the church, as she ministers and leads 60% or more of the adults in her local church. Responsibility + value = accountability.
Clearly define expectations and what excellence looks like. The team must understand what excellence [a good job] looks like to their leader. Be sure the team understands the vision, the goal, and the unity required to get there.
Provide ongoing training. A good leader finds opportunities and resources to keep her team sharp and current, and enables them to learn and grow.
Empower your team. Allow team input and value their ideas. Recognize that your team learns by doing, and that may include risk on your part! Your trust allows the team member to grow, and ultimately, builds a strong team.

Why does a team exist?

Clarify the vision. What is God’s desire for ministry to women in your local church? Vision for ministry is unique to each local church, and not a copy of any other ministry.
Bring vision to reality: discuss how, when, who. Ask, “What must we do to bring this vision to reality? How should we pray?”
Formulate a goal. Goals are measurable ways to evaluate IF and HOW vision is accomplished, and will help teams recognize progress or need for change.

How does a team function?

Delegate: giving clear instructions about who does what, and when.
Accountability: delegation includes responsibility. Designate who IS responsible, and what she is responsible for. Responsibility includes timely and clear reporting to the lead person.
Provide basic resources to accomplish the mission. Basic resources include budget requirements or funding, equipment and/or personnel, coordinating calendar events with entire church calendar, childcare needs, etc.

What composes a healthy team?

Discuss team conduct/behavior. Understand what is necessary to bring the team vision of ministry to fruition. Each member must know she contributes to the success of the big picture, and accomplishment of God’s work in your church. What we do today, how we act, and how we treat each other affects our ministry tomorrow.
Set an atmosphere of confidentiality and honesty. Honesty cannot exist without the safety of confidentiality. Bathe honesty with kindness and compassion to tackle “sticky” issues or problems. Remember: we exist to glorify God, and lead His people!
Deal with conflict as it arises. Difficulties fester and conflict grows without loving confrontation and honesty in handling problems as they arise.
Agree: there will be no competition among our team members. A spirit of competition among the leadership team destroys unity that honors God.
Allow for different perspectives. Each person has a unique cultural background, age, experience and education. She brings a unique perspective to the team. While a team decision is crucial, allowing sufficient input is vital.
Formulate written team guidelines. This promotes unity and oneness on the team.
Commitment to team guidelines. For example: this may be achieved by an annual signed commitment card that everyone on the team signs. Make this a prayerful time of commitment to the Lord, and to one another.

Author’s Bio:

Anita has a passion for women’s ministry, and enjoys working with and training women to serve in this ministry. As a young wife and mom, Anita discovered God’s love and purpose through Bible study in women’s ministry groups. Through years of ministry, she led women’s groups toward the same life-changing discovery. She lives in Spring, Texas, and currently serves with SBTC Women’s Ministry Leadership in Region 7, the Houston area. Her email address is awood95585@aol.com