A few weeks ago, I talked about refocusing on priorities that can move things forward on our teams [and potentially in our lives]. One area that you may be stuck in is the leadership of your particular ministry area. As I have served in and worked with churches over the years, I’ve found that a number of the problems that occur on teams have to do with a lack of understanding by the team leader of what is actually going on. This communication breakdown can be due to a number of things – including fear by team members of telling the boss something he or she might not want to hear – but is, in my experience, more often due to misplaced assumptions.
To get an accurate picture of where to start, try doing a SWOT assessment of your ministries. It’s a technique that has been used by many different types of organizations over the years. Have each member of your team [including you] list five things in each of the following categories:
S = Strengths
W = Weaknesses
O = Opportunities
T = Threats
Organize all of the results and look for patterns – and don’t forget to show gratitude for and celebrate your strengths.
Remember, for your team members to give you accurate info, they need to feel that they can do so safely. Make it clear that this evaluation is not about punishment [or reward], but about trying to clarify the “win” and make things better for everyone involved.
Hmmm - well, let's see...
I'm a Christian, a husband, a dad, a son, a pastor, a consultant, a musician, a writer, and bits and pieces of a bunch of other things. My work life has followed three main phases - business to teaching to church. I was the Weekend Services Pastor for nine years at Northview Church, an awesome church in the Indianapolis suburbs. I used to work for Willow Creek, another awesome church in the Chicago area. Plus I've written for various magazines and websites, and other freelancy sorts of things... My life mission is to help the church be as excellent as it can be.
Oh yeah - the name's Greg. Greg Wallace. But not the race car driver or the major league pitcher or the British celebrity chef. Just the creative worship guy. Hi.
It's my hope that these ideas, musings, rants, raves, etc... will inspire you. They're just my opinions - but again, I hope that they'll help to inspire you. Because the church really, really needs inspired creative types. If you're a creative type (and most people are, deep-down), ask God for help. Then take any ideas that are useful to you - borrow them, nab them, use them, adapt them - and make them into something greater...
You can head over to my Instagram site for an abundance of shorter posts: creativeworshipideas. If you're looking for consulting - especially on weekend services, team leadership or multi-site strategies - I'd love to help. Just message me here, and I'll be in touch - Greg
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