Mid-Cities Worship | Seven Things You Need To Build a Healthy and Growing Team – Part Two
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Seven Things You Need To Build a Healthy and Growing Team – Part Two

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01 Apr Seven Things You Need To Build a Healthy and Growing Team – Part Two

In the last blog called, “7 Things You Need To Build a Healthy & Growing Team: Part 1,” we established that there are 7 primary things you need to build a healthy and growing team; Vision, Trust, Humility, Communication, Appreciation, Discipleship, and a Culture of Grace. We covered the first three components of a great team; Vision, Trust, and Humility. As I mentioned previously, every aspect of our lives involves teams. We encounter teams every day. It is vital that we discover how a team works, how to develop people, and how to develop strategies for building a team. I believe there are Biblical building blocks, that if implemented, will catalyze the personal development of team members, as well as overall team growth. In this blog, we will cover the last four components; Communication, Appreciation, Discipleship, and a Culture of Grace.

4. COMMUNICATION

Communication is a key component of a healthy and growing team. There are many aspects of communication that a leader is responsible for. For worship leaders, we send out set lists, rehearsal times, communicate with the pastors and staff, as well as communicating with the congregation through exhortations and leading them through songs. In addition, there is a whole different level of communication that has to happen within our teams. Building trust, conflict resolution and unmet expectations, are just a few examples.

Communication.028We are responsible for setting the example of how we expect communication to take place within our team. If we don’t respond in a timely manner, our team members won’t. If we don’t clearly communicate our expectations, our team members will be confused, and it will leave room for misunderstandings. If we communicate that we are excited to be there and are engaged, then our team members and congregation will respond back to us with more excitement and will be more engaged.

Also, we need to make sure that we have clearly communicated our expectations, and that our team members have had a chance to clearly communicate theirs. When we take responsibility for our actions, our team members will learn to do the same.

Practical Application:

How are you communicating? What example do you set? What is one way you can improve? Does your team know your expectations of them? Do you need to ask your leader any clarifying questions? Do you need to respond to Planning Center more quickly? Do you need to get the set list out faster? Is there a need for reconciliation on the team between any team members? How can you better/more often articulate the vision of the team?

5. APPRECIATION

It is critical that we foster and facilitate appreciation on our teams. The definition of the word “appreciation” according to Merriam-Webster is;

  • an expression of admiration or gratitude
  • an ability to understand the worth, quality, or importance of something
  • sensitive awareness (full understanding of something)

An expression of gratitude must be displayed first by the leader. If you are not thankful, it will be difficult for your team members to choose to be thankful. As you choose to appreciate the opportunity to do what you’re doing, and appreciate the people you do it with, you will help set the right attitude and tone for your team to edify each other and others, rather than tear them down.

Thanks (1)Your team needs you to see, understand, and appreciate each of their worth and value. No one wants to feel “replaceable.” Though their position may be able to be filled by someone else, they themselves, are uniquely created in the image of God. Everyone longs to have that truth validated; that they are seen and valued as a person, not just as a position.

Appreciation can also be a “sensitive awareness,” or a “full understanding of something.” As we cultivate appreciation in our own hearts and on our team, we will be able to better grasp the weight and responsibility of being sensitive to the Lord and leading others into His presence.

Practical Application:

How intentional are you with showing appreciation? Are you truly thankful for where God has you? Are you thankful for what you’re doing? Are you thankful for who you’re doing it with? Do you understand the worth and value of each of your team members? Do you know the importance of the team’s vision and mission? How could you better articulate it? How could you better show appreciation?

6. DISCIPLESHIP

Discipleship. Discipleship. Discipleship.

I cannot emphasize the importance of this enough.

Your team will crumble if there is no discipleship. Just like a wedding cake without proper supports, a team without discipleship will slide out of place and eventually fall from the weight of transition and time.

Every successful team has a strategy and structure for training and equipping people. These teams recognize the importance of following a vision, building relationship with the people around them, and passing on information, insight and experience to those they wish to raise up into the team.

bag-and-handsIn a Christian context, the One we want to be disciples of is Jesus. We want to follow His vision, the Gospel, build relationships with the people we are walking with, and to bring people into the Kingdom, walking alongside them and raising them up to become the men and women of God that they are created to be.

In the context of a worship team, we can incorporate the value and practical application of discipleship, as we also train people in leadership and musicality.

Practical Application:

Who are you discipling? Who are you pouring into? Are you in discipleship? Who is pouring into you? Have you incorporated discipleship of Jesus Christ fully into your team strategy and process? Do you use the One2One book? Do you use the Purple Book? Do you help foster vulnerability and accountability between team members?

7. CULTURE OF GRACE

We have been saved by grace through faith. Grace is not just the unmerited favor of God, but also the power to do what He has created us to do. Therefore, we walk in the tension of this amazing grace. As leaders, we want to create a safe environment; one where there is room for people to grow, try new things, make mistakes, and step out in faith. At the same time, there is an expectation that by the grace of God they are able to be and do all that He’s called them to be and do. This is crucial for their growth and development. We want to create a culture of grace that is both a forgiving AND an empowering atmosphere.

Practical Application:

How are you cultivating a safe environment for growth? Is there room for mistakes under your leadership? Are the consequences of those mistakes balanced with the weight of the indiscretion? Is there enough grace? Is there enough accountability and discipline? How are you intentionally empowering your team? How are you intentionally empowering your leaders within the team?

In conclusion, the culture of our team is very important. The world runs on teams. The world is watching the church to see how we train, equip and build people; or how we don’t. We are called to reflect and advance the Kingdom of God, and since we are all involved in teams at some level or capacity, applying these biblical truths will help us transform our teams and reach this generation.

Let’s reach people, help them grow by applying these biblical principles, and send them out to change the world. 


 

Kristin Basom is an Every Nation Campus Missionary at Mid-Cities. She loves serving alongside her husband, Will (ENC Director at Mid-Cities), at Midland College, UTPB and Texas Tech. She is Director over the ENC worship team, and passionately develops leaders, disciples women and evangelizes on the college campus.

Kristin Basom is an Every Nation Campus Missionary at Mid-Cities. She loves serving alongside her husband, Will (ENC Director at Mid-Cities), at Midland College, UTPB and Texas Tech. She is Director over the ENC worship team, and passionately develops leaders, disciples women and evangelizes on the college campus.

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