Building A Team

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

As of this writing, I have been the leader of our church for fourteen years. I have gotten used to being the one to make the important decisions. When it is time to put things on the line and make tough choices, the people look to me. When it is time for a vision to move forward and take bold steps, I’m the one the people come to.

But I have come to the realization that the church cannot grow unless I change my approach, allowing others to make decisions and live with the results. In a span of two weeks, three people told me, “Bill, you are just going to have to back down and leave these decisions in the hands of other people.” They were right!

It seemed so simple, but I was amazed at the questions that flooded my mind. Will they really follow through? Do they understand the vision well enough to make wise decisions? If they mess up, does it mean that I failed? At what point do I jump back in? Where is the line between skilled leadership and control?

I am learning that walking by faith sometimes means letting other people take the lead. Even though trusting the team may slow things down from time to time, I know that it makes the team stronger in the long run.

Sometimes successfully and obediently following God’s direction for your life means giving up some personal control, learning to trust others, and building a team. When you do that, you will find that the collective results far outweigh your individual efforts.

Jesus, teach me to trust the people you have put in my life.