unsplash.com, Aaron Burden
In tech ministry, and in life, complacency is constantly waging war against us. What was once unique and energizing can soon become predictable and bland. Our passions begin to flatline. Our energy begins to wane. And we begin to settle for “doing things the way we've always done them.”
Our human nature always drifts towards the path of least resistance. We tend to just do enough to get by and not much else. The practical application is that your team most likely will not grow stronger and better without some outside influence. However, if you are proactive, you can continue to inspire your team to reach newer and greater heights.
... if you are proactive, you can continue to inspire your team to reach newer and greater heights.
Here are three action ideas you can use during the “lull” between Christmas services and Easter to inspire your team to accomplish new things--and rise to new challenges.
1-Motivate
Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it. Habakkuk 2:2
If you don't have a clearly defined vision and purpose for the ministry that you are running, then no one will be able to go where you are leading. You need to make it clear and concise so that each team member knows what you do, and more importantly, why you do it.
It is important that you tie this in with the vision of the church that you are serving. Be careful that this doesn't become too vague. It's easy to write out, “We want to serve First Church with our technical skills,” but that is so vague and won't inspire anyone. It's better to be specific and list out the ways that your team contributes to the overall mission of the church.
2-Model
Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12b
There is an old business quote that says: “Speed of the leader; speed of the team.” That is certainly true in tech ministry. Your team will never outpace you as their leader.
If there is a job that you personally feel is beneath you, you should recognize that as pride starting to raise its ugly head.
If there is a job that you personally feel is beneath you, you should recognize that as pride starting to raise its ugly head. If you are expecting them to do things that you are not personally willing to do, it is doubtful that you will be able to get them to do it. You need to be willing to model the behavior that you expect from your team.
3-Maintain
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Once you have motivated your team and you are modeling the values in your own personal life, you need to make sure it actually happens. All too often we talk great things, but then drop the ball when it comes to implementation.
Here is when you should catch your team succeeding and encourage them and offer them praise for a job well done.
Here is when you should catch your team succeeding and encourage them and offer them praise for a job well done. Taking the time to acknowledge what they are doing right will go a long way in motivating them to rise up to the new challenges that your team faces.
I believe that God has great things planned for you and your team this year. I also believe that if you put these small disciplines into practice you will be able to accomplish more than you could ever expect.
