Effective Church Communications

Ministry assistants say they hear a lot about the concept of teamwork, but not so much about the specifics of what makes a good team player. These basics apply to every member of the team. On excellent teams all follow the rules.

• Be genuine
Team members like to know that the person they are working with is who she is—not one person with Sally and another with Bob. Be straightforward, authentic, sincere. Never play games.

• Keep your word
Before you commit to a task be sure you can deliver. Once you promise, you must follow through. Those who give their word lightly or fail to produce may find it difficult to regain the trust of those they have let down.

• Meet deadlines
A huge problem in some teams is that a member or two consistently ignore or break deadlines. The person who does this is, intentionally or not, showing disdain for the others. Honoring deadlines is a tangible way to show your respect other members of the team. The team functions better when everyone’s priorities are considered.

• Communicate
No one enjoys being in the dark. Build stronger team relationships by keeping all members in the information loop. Ask opinions; share insight and information. Teams benefit by pooling creativity, expertise, and knowledge. Very often mistakes and missteps can be avoided by simply running ideas by others before actions are taken.

• Give your best
Set standards for your personal best and consistently strive to meet—or even exceed—them. Establish an impeccable reputation for the quality of your work, your dependability, your positive attitude, and your integrity. These attributes build trust and confidence—two indispensable qualities essential to excellent teamwork.

Sometimes the assistant is the leader of the team. Whether you are supervising volunteers, working with officers in your professional organization, or chairing a committee, these guidelines help you handle the task like a pro.

• Match worker to task
Every person has something productive to contribute; everyone excels in something or has a favorite type of work. Tap into using those skills by choosing the right person for the task. If someone is reluctant to take on the task you have in mind, ask what task would be preferred. Or, your person might be willing to take on the responsibility along with one or more others.

• Keep work fresh
Doing the same job in the same way is not always the best system. Look for ways to streamline and improve whatever processes you use. Get ideas from the team. Provide opportunities for those who are proficient in one area to choose another if they like. New experiences keep workers interested.

• Be clear about the job
Prepare a written outline of the job and discuss it with the candidate. Begin with the overall goal and then list the smaller tasks to be done. Identify who the worker is responsible to and the deadlines involved. Answer any questions and get the person’s acceptance of the job.

• Be generous with appreciation
Don’t wait until the assignment is over to give thanks and encouragement. Notes written after the fact are nice and are essential, but they can’t measure up to words spoken during the effort. Make heroes of your helpers and they will be eager to work with you on the next project.

Gayle Hilligoss Picture — Article by Gayle Hilligoss

All church staffs are not teams.

Teamwork is easy to recognize where it exists, but hard to define where it doesn’t. Ministry assistants are often the first to recognize when teamwork is only a phrase tossed about in staff meetings.

While building teamwork is primarily the responsibility of the executive, an assistant can do much toward promoting a more excellent church office team.

Know what teamwork is.
An appropriate definition is: two or more people moving along a path of interaction toward a common goal.

One is not a team, regardless of how effective that one is. There is no team if there is no forward motion or communication. A staff is not a team if the staff members do not have a shared vision. When even one of these three elements is missing, whatever the group is, it is not a true team.

So, if two or more are working on a project—but not communicating—there is no teamwork. If they are communicating—but not focusing on a common goal—there is no teamwork. Knowing this important principle helps you carry your weight on the team.

Understand team dynamics.
When a church staff works as a team, the sum is more than the parts. My results are not simply added yours but the results of both of us are multiplied.

Operating as a team of two, a pastor and assistant will actually accomplish more than they could by operating independently. Each still focuses on his or her own responsibilities but they share a strong dedication to the work of the church. They demonstrate mutual respect for one another, engage in open and honest communication, have common ministry goals, and actively work toward professional growth.

• Know the staff’s strengths.
In excellent teams, each person has opportunity to use what he or she does best. More time is spent on using strengths than is spent on bemoaning weaknesses. Know what your team members (including volunteers) have to offer in ideas and skills. Give opportunity for them to contribute so the end result is the best it can be.

• Aim for results.
Not many church staff members have a hard time staying busy. Even on the least effective staffs, people put in hours. Energy is exerted—sometimes a great deal—but too often little of value is actually accomplished. It is easy for staffs to fall into the trap of majoring on personal priorities or of having no priorities at all. Results suffer.

• Recognize and use your skills.
What do you bring to the team? So much! You contribute personal qualities, people skills, technical competence, and a vast amount of work-related knowledge.

Think beyond your own responsibilities and tasks. Consider how your efforts fit in with the efforts of other staff members. Use what you know—not only to be a good team member, but to be a team builder as well.

You want the answer to, “Are we a team?” to be an absolute “Yes!”

Effective Church Communications provides Timeless Strategy and Biblical Inspiration to help churches create communications that fully fulfill the Great Commission.

Assignment: Teamwork

Are We a Team?

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