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In the seventh part of an ongoing
series highlighting the basics of the Encounter with
God
Strategy, EQ focuses on one of the Critical
Ingredients at the local level that are essential
to the multiplication of impact churches in major
cities.
One of the greatest sports upsets of
all time occurred during the 1980 Olympic Games when
a
collection of college and amateur hockey players
from the United States upended a juggernaut
team from the Soviet Union en route to claiming the
gold medal. The Soviet team boasted some
of the greatest international players of that time
and their dominance earned them the
nickname “The Red Machine.”
In the face of overwhelming odds,
the U.S. team succeeded not because of their talent,
but
because of the quality of their teamwork. What they
lacked in talent and experience, they made
up for in intensity and chemistry. U.S. coach Herb
Brooks meticulously selected the players he
wanted, turning down some gifted players for the
sake of achieving the exact mix of skills,
speed and mental discipline that he knew would be
needed to have a chance against the Soviets.
In ministry, as in sports and business, an effective
team is critical. But in many cases we follow a lone
ranger approach. In an effort to cover as much
geographic territory as possible, or to launch as
many new projects as possible, missions agencies and
churches have sent out
individuals to start new works trusting that they
would develop a team at some point.
In contrast, the Encounter with God Movement
believes that team ministry is essential from the
very start. It was a team of people that developed
the initial Encounter church in Lima, Peru. The same
team-based concept was transferred to successive
daughter churches. Even today, each
new church starts with a senior pastor and at least
one assistant, and often more, who share in the
pulpit ministry, as well as the rest of the ministry
of the church.
The multiplied effectiveness of a ministry team can
be the difference between a successful church plant
and a false start. A more diverse skill set develops
more well-rounded ministries that lead to more rapid
church growth. In addition, team ministry that
shares the pulpit encourages church members’
commitment to the church and not to individual
personalities.
The positive benefits of team ministry are likely
the reason that Jesus and the early church
made consistent use of teams. In commissioning the
disciples to preach the gospel throughout
Israel, Jesus sent them in pairs. Likewise, many of
the earliest recorded missionaries, such
as Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas and later Paul
and Silas, functioned in teams.
Their example is a good model for us. For as the
writer of Ecclesiastes says, “Two are better
than one, because they have a good return for their
work....” .
EQ Fall 2008
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