The Benefits of Team Leadership in The Local Church

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

The work of ministry is a communal process because being a Christian means being a part of a community. However, the 20th century has developed a kind of church leadership that is driven by the individual rather than the collective. This top-down approach to organizational leadership in the church has produced disenfranchised members, broken ministers, and disillusioned local communities.

The 21st-century leader has navigated the cultural implications of the “Senior pastor as CEO” leadership style and rediscovered a church leadership framework that promotes the unity and plurality the church is commissioned to embody. There are different ways to describe this dynamic, but in the simplest terms, we are referring to the team. This approach fosters an interpersonal and relational context with clear roles and responsibilities for making missional decisions and mobilizing ministry.

In contrast to the individualistic or personality-based leadership dynamic, the team approach thinks first about others and the whole. This creates an interrelated organizational structure that personally models what it aims to promote within the congregation. Developing a healthy team dynamic may not be the most efficient leadership model, but it is certainly the most effective.

This post is not addressing the essential qualities or how to build a team dynamic, but rather to start with the end in mind. What are the benefits of a healthy leadership team? Let’s explore some of them together.

Maturity (Ephesians 4:15-16)

It is difficult for us to mature in isolation. It is in the context of community that we can better understand ourselves and the world around us than in solitude. Leading local church ministry within a team dynamic brings various perspectives and personalities that influence and shape the whole. The mission of the church is clear, but the way to achieve it isn’t as apparent. The journey of discovery and the wisdom required for effective ministry cannot be accomplished by just one voice. A natural maturing process occurs both individually and as a team when engaging in ministry together. We can learn together what the Bible says and how to apply it to everyday life as individuals committed to the whole. Growth is challenging. The opportunity for a team to be effective lies not in doing more things, but doing the best things together.

Longevity (Galatians 6:7-10)

Ministry is a marathon. It appears that an increasing number of pastors are not going the distance. Multiple factors contribute, but one key element for longevity in ministry is having a healthy team to work with. Any burden in ministry is easier to carry with others. A team dynamic not only helps us navigate the challenges of ministry, but it also serves as a source of encouragement and inspiration to persevere. In isolation, we may be prone to give up or choose an easier, less effective path.

The team provides a space where we can be reminded of our collective commitment to persevere with the hope of the gospel. The chaos and self-doubt that can infiltrate our self-talk are countered by the voices of the team, reminding us that placing our help and hope in the person of Jesus Christ as ministers of His word is not in vain and promotes longevity in ministry. It is not the joys or the challenges of ministry that promote longevity, it’s the team you’re walking with.

Continuity (Philippians 2:1-2)

Unity is not conformity. The beauty of the local church expresses different gifts and personalities that reflect the unifying commitment of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The unity desired for the church as a whole is first experienced within the leadership team. The investment of time and effort to unify a leadership team around the essentials of gospel life and ministry is the most valuable work in the life of the church. The resulting continuity of ministry efforts across generations and expressions extends from the unity experienced by the leadership team.

The opposite is also true: if the leadership team is not committed to developing and nurturing unity, the ministry efforts will be independent of one another at best and divisive at worst. This is why doctrinal commitment and missional clarity are so important for a team to establish and understand. Continuity in the local church is not derived from programs, but through those who are led by a unified team.

Accountability (Hebrews 3:12-14)

A healthy ministry team is comprised of individuals who understand God’s word and share a deep commitment to living it out in their relationships. Thus, it is unwise for me to think I can hide or misrepresent myself for long. In a ministry team, you are visible, but not vulnerable. The team observes both your good and bad days, allowing them to discern not just the overall health of the ministry efforts but also your personal well-being. We have all seen or heard about it before: a ministry leader who fails is often the one who is not known by their team.

This accountability within the team benefits us both personally and collectively. The encouragement toward effectiveness and the admonishments addressing areas of ineffectiveness are balanced and comprehensive in the context of teamwork. This means the team not only spends time together but also understands and knows one another. This relational context helps bring accountability not only to ministry efforts, but also to the ministers themselves.

Vitality (John 15:11)

Joy is complete when it is shared. The team dynamic offers each person, as well as the whole, diverse ways to see and enjoy life. I liken it to going on a hike by myself versus with others. I inevitably enjoy the journey more with others because I experience more through a shared experience than simply my own. Seeing the world through a shared lens helps me to perceive things more vividly and increases my joy. Additionally, in a ministry team dynamic, the celebrations are more enjoyable. Recognizing expressions of the fruit of ministry is best celebrated together and not in isolation. Even when a ministry effort doesn’t quite work out as planned, there is a strange joy in commiserating together as well. Human flourishing exists in the context of relationships, and ministry vitality is experienced within the context of teams.

It’s important to recognize that the team dynamic isn’t the only context in which these benefits are experienced and developed. However, their greatest impact on the culture of the local church occurs when they are recognized within leadership teams. Once a team experiences these collective benefits, it inspires others to do the same. This counters individualism and siloed ministry efforts that diminish the overall impact of a distinctly local church. Building and nurturing team leadership dynamics within the local church requires intentionality, investment, and effort, but the journey is certainly worthwhile.