Having a Strong Youth Ministry Team Matters Having a strong team matters in almost anything…
Unity is essential for any team to be effective. This is no different in Youth Ministry. Youth Ministry teams can include parents, volunteers, teens, and paid staff. Building an awesome team can be a difficult task on its own. Working as a team brings its own set of challenges. Maintaining unity and keeping everyone moving toward the same goal does not happen naturally.
I recently read (listened on Audible) The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni. While this book mainly targets the corporate setting, the application for Ministry teams is equally of value. It is a fascinating book written in a novel form rather than strictly how-to. It was really encouraging and challenging. Here are two takeaways on what unity is not:
Unity is not consensus
Great teams do not always agree on everything. Great teams actually disagree often, but work through the disagreement to a sensible and effective resolution. All ideas are listened to and considered before dismissing. There is value of varying opinions and ideas. They push us to be better. They cause us to consider what may not have been apparent at first. Great teams are made up of many personalities and strengths. There is no greater picture of this than the church.
Unity is not conflict free
Great teams will always deal with their share of conflict. Because teams do not always agree, there will naturally be conflict. Teams that can remain focused on the mission are able to work through conflict as it arises and will come out stronger and better on the other side of it. These teams do not hide or avoid those situations, but deal with them quickly regardless of how uncomfortable it may be. The church is not exempt from its fair share of conflict. When you put a bunch of sinful people who are vastly different, united only by the cause of Jesus usually, things will get messy at times. The challenge is to work through the mess for the sake of the gospel and your students.
What are your thoughts? Has unity been something you have been able to achieve and maintain consistently? What challenges have you faced with keeping your team unified? Leave a comment and share!
Photo credit: Tony Fischer Photography / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
I think that it takes a special kind of leader who is comfortable with dissension. They allow people to disagree but listen to both sides of the issue.
I agree. It does take a confident leader to be able to allow others to press in and speak to a different side of an issue. I think that if a leader is truly focused on the end goal of the team, and able to put aside their own ego, this will happen.