Team of Players VS. Coaching Staff

For Crossroads, moving to the next level is going to take a whole different kind of leadership. It will be a challenge because we’ll have to build it from the ground up. Basically, each of our ministry teams must begin the transition from a “ministry team” to a “coaching staff.” In most churches the size of Crossroads, the ministry teams are comprised of people who have a passion for “doing” ministry and it should be that way! But to get to the next level, the leadership has to shift from a body of people who “do” ministry, to a people who “coach” ministry from the congregation.

This is a tall order. Most people who “signed up” on a ministry team didn’t do so because they wanted to “lead” a ministry, but because they wanted to “do” ministry. Understandable. But part of what we’re going to talk about at the Leadership Convergence is how we as a church and especially how we as a team – can begin to coach ministry from the rest of the congregation and not just produce results all by ourselves.

Personally, I will be serving on what used to be called the “Benevolence” team. I hope to shift the focus to a broader spectrum – “Hutch Missions” more specifically. I’d like to get our team thinking beyond the ministries that we host in our buildings – the food pantry, giving away Dillon’s certificates. Those things are good, but they aren’t really an outreach – they’re more of a “wait around for people to show up with a need” sort of thing.”

(I’ve probably stated before, what I”m talking about with the “Hutch Missions” team is the difference between an attractional church (one that looks good enough to draw people) and a missional people (one that goes where the people are). We HAVE to get missional. The Great commission starts with “Go,” not “Wait.” And, that’s more of a reminder and exhortation for myself than anyone else.)

The challenge will be (on all ministry teams not just mine) helping the ministry teams become leadership teams. Making it their goal to draw the church into ministry and not just try to get people to sign up for the team. That means the “Hutch Missions” Team makes it our goal to pull the entire congregation into the heart of “Hutch Missions.”

As the “preacher,” I’ll have to be the voice of those teams – consistently. The personal struggle will be to make sure I don’t push my personal agenda, but the agenda of the church – and each “coaching staff” to make sure that the whole congregation is as involved as possible.

I imagine it would be as difficult as telling a starting team of football players that they don’t get to play anymore – now, they have to stand on the sidelines and coach the rest of the team to go out on the field. Tell them what to do, how to play, how to score, how to defend, etc. But as players mature, they have to move from player to coach – and eventually to league managers (but that’s a whole different level).

I’m reminded in the story of Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 29-31 (thanks to Bill Allison), of the time Israel was restored through his work. We’re told that “The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.” This is what we must work and pray for – one heart. Not just among our families and in our church, but for all the believers in our community – that God would put his hand on us to give us one heart – that we would carry out his work AS ONE.

As a human being, I have no idea how to carry this out. None whatsoever. But the Lord is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. Take this to heart, my friends.

With all this in mind – let me brainstorm for a moment with some of you who read this (hopefully not the majority of Crossroads folks – I’d hate to ruin the surprise). Perhaps you’ll get some insight into the sermon for Nov. 11. What about this idea? What if I were to present the congregation with our mission statement again. Give the challenge for each person to memorize it and place it in their hearts. Then, to present to the church the action plans for all of our mission teams – and then – to spend time in prayer and fasting – at least seven days, over what direction the Lord is leading us. And then to just wait. Wait and see what the Lord will do.

This will be tough. That means we don’t force it. We don’t decide what we like and then move. We wait and see what resources the Lord brings to us to do his will. See what the Lord puts on the hearts of our church members, our friends and family members. Then we go from there.

Just an idea. Well, enough rambling for this morning. Hope you have a peaceful week.