How Do Team Members Contribute?

This article is the second installment of a four-part series that addresses the following four propositions: the members of a ministry team that functions well will (1) share and articulate a common purpose, (2) know how each team member contributes to that purpose, (3) know how they work together, and (4) discuss difficult issues effectively.

“We’re not thriving.” During the past few ministry team meetings, Tracy had been observing members interact. They seemed discouraged, unmotivated, and tentative.

Instead of frequent smiles, she saw downcast eyes. Instead of hearing how team members are contributing to the team purpose, she heard people talk in lackluster fashion about completed activities (like photocopying). Instead of taking initiative, she saw members sit quietly, waiting for someone else to step up.

Then it hit her—team members don’t understand how their own activities contribute to the team’s purpose.

“I know I feel down when I don’t see how what I’m doing connects to the larger picture. Photocopying becomes a boring task instead of a way to help a church get planted. No wonder folk seem discouraged and unmotivated.”

She also realized that team members don’t understand how each other’s activities contribute to the team’s purpose.

“No wonder we’re tentative.” she reflected, “We’re not sure who’s doing what, or why they are doing it. We don’t want to step on each other’s toes, so we don’t take initiative. And because we don’t understand, we don’t give thoughtful, specific feedback—I know I’m not getting enough. And we don’t hold each other accountable to stay focused on activities that really help us achieve our purpose. Instead, we get sidetracked.”

How can team members better understand how each contributes to the team purpose?

As a team:

1. Review the team purpose.

2. Identify the objectives you need to pursue to achieve the team purpose.

3. Ask each team member to list their ministry activities, categorize them in terms of team objectives, and then share which objectives their activities address and, consequently, how the activities contribute to the team purpose. (Team members may also need to explain which activities do not fit team objectives and invite feedback on how to handle those activities.)

4. Regularly review how team members contribute to the team purpose. For example, ask team members to share ministry stories at meetings, and to connect those stories to team goals. Regularly review each team objective and invite team members to share how they contribute. Annually, ask team members to give an overview of their ministry activities and how the activities contribute to the team purpose.

The point?

To help your ministry team function well, ensure your team knows how each member contributes to the purpose.

What about you?

1. What’s one ministry team you are on?

2. What excites/concerns you about that team?

3. On a scale of 1-5 (5 being high), how clear are team members on how each specifically contributes to the team’s purpose?

4. On a scale of 1-5 (5 being high), how clear do you want them to be?

5. What will you do?