TEAM BUILDING
"Ian & Nola McKellar relocated from South Africa to Asia in 2002.
They went to help build up local churches that relate to the NCMI team.
In 2009 they started leading Church of Joy in Singapore. They have a passion to see God's Word and God's Spirit build the beloved community and bless the city."
They went to help build up local churches that relate to the NCMI team.
In 2009 they started leading Church of Joy in Singapore. They have a passion to see God's Word and God's Spirit build the beloved community and bless the city."
As a church grows the pioneer team needs to expand.
A church moves from the planting phase to the building phase by enlarging the team involved.
David had to move from a freedom fighting phase to a nation building phase. He had to enlarge his team in order to be an effective builder.
The warrior spirit is great for building, but we must add to this quality and not try to replace it.
The pioneer team needs to be enlarged with others that bring in a different perspective and skill set so that effective building can take place.
The Biblical qualifications for deacons (i.e. servants !) are helpful for us when thinking of expanding our initial core team.
Looking at 1 Timothy 3:8-13 will help us understand the kind of people we are looking for.
We could summarize as follows:
1.) A good reputation with all (1 Tim 3:8)
2.) Spiritually minded (1 Tim 3:9) See also Acts 6:3 that calls for those who are wise and filled with the Holy Spirit
3.) Living their faith with conviction (1 Tim 3:9).
4.) Must be tested (1 Tim 3:10). Testing brings maturity, wisdom and empathy.
5.) Must know how to build up and not undermine the building process, in their own home, church and community.
6.) Willing to serve. They must be servant hearted. They must care about people.
We are building a worshipping community centered on the truths of Christ revealed in his Word.
The practical aspects of what we do are to build up a “dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph 2:22).
Leaders help each one in the church community to build each other up “as each part does its work” (Eph 4:16).
David Breashears, the Mt Everest Mountaineer, says, “In selecting teammates, choose people to get stranded with.”[1] I think that’s good advice for a church team.
When David captured Jerusalem he was looking for a central hub to unite the nation of Israel. He was looking for safe place of worship, that could be an economic and political capital. From this capital he knew he would influence the whole region. He was not settling, just building a base to further extend the kingdom.
David moved from a freedom fighting phase to a nation building phase. But he still retains all the qualities of a good military general. Building plans get added to the military strategy, they do not replace it.
Southwest Airlines was one of the only profit producing airlines in USA directly following 911.
Southwest cultivated a culture of high-spirited passionate people infused with a rebellious “Warrior Spirit.”[2]
David brought the ark to Zion as a military and a religious strategy. He wanted to enquire from God. His spiritual life directly affected the governmental decisions he took.
Once the ark had been brought to Zion David taught the nation a song. A new anthem, if you like, to unite the nation in purpose. He recalls their history, and reminds them of their future.
He remembers the covenant made to Abraham, and the promise of the inheritance in the land of Canaan (1 Chron 16:15-18).
He remembers how God redeemed his chosen people from Egypt with signs and wonders (1 Chron 16:12-13). He also remembers how Israel is called to make known God’s deeds, his glory, his salvation and his kingdom to the nations (1 Chron 16:8,23, 25, 31),
so that all nations can worship the creator who is full of splendor, majesty, strength and joy (1 Chron 16:27-29).
David had to enlarge his team of advisors. When he was a freedom fighter he needed military generals to give a military perspective. Now that he is nation building he enlarges his team to include priests. He also includes civil administrators and advisors to build his capital city (1 Chron 18:14-17), as well as personal bodyguards and advisors (1 Chron 27:32-33).
Freedom Fighters focus on survival: freedom to bring dignity and choice. Nation Builders focus on sustainability: freedom to bring justice, peace and prosperity. For both their goal is freedom and happiness.
Nation Builders focus their efforts on a capital city that can be a hub -a hub of communication, commerce and ideas. The personal benefits to security and freedom are potentially far greater for nation builders.
Freedom Fighters need a team of courageous warriors. Those who need to take risks that will not bring total defeat. High personal risk with small teams is tolerated.
Nation Builders need a team that can represent the whole nation and who can have wisdom to know how to advise and administrate strategies taken.
Much more unity in the community is needed with nation building. Risk taking is different for nation builders. Many more lives need to be considered.
David needed courage to move ahead.
