As you know, building the right team can take time. Each team member has a unique personality and diverse giftings. Learning how to flow those personalities together can be a challenge. However, when it's right...it can be a win-win situation for you and your congregation.
- The Ant - (the driver) (Apostle Paul) - "Excuse me, pardon me, coming through!" These people can appear to be rude, offensive, bossy and just plain over the top. And at times they are. But at least they get the job done. Once they are tempered by the "fruit" of Galatians 5:22-23, they may still have the ability to "cut your ear off" but they are more mindful of how they are perceived.
- The Conie - (the peacemaker) (Barnabas) - "Can't we all just get along?" These people strive for peace and can't stand arguing or strong debate. They will defend the underdog and make sure everyone is treated fairly. They are a blessing because of their ability to manufacture peace in almost any situation.
- The Locust - (the partier) (Apostle Peter) - "Whens the next church dinner?" These people exemplify the personality of a networker. They would rather talk than work. They have the ability to sell sand in the desert and they almost never know a stranger! They are great for connecting with new people.
- The Spider - (the thinker) (Apostle John) - "Let's think before we speak." These people are perfectionist in their personalities. They are often loners. When they offer their opinion, you know they've given a lot of time thinking it through. They are problem solvers and can save your neck if you listen to their council.
We definitely have all four personalities at work in our pastoral team. It's amazing to watch everyone function together - so different, yet so compatible.
We administer a personality test to each of our leaders. This helps us find their best place on the team. Nothing is worse then having personality clashes - it disrupts the flow of ministry. Sometimes it's unavoidable. However if you can understand a person's personality, then you can communicate with them better.
This by far, has been the most valued lesson I've learned in building a great team.
Our pastoral team in Chicago on our last Staff Retreat.
L-R: Jeremey & Tara Mckinney - Children's Pastors
Russell & Beverly Hylton - Senior Pastors
Josh & Jennifer Palmer - Youth Pastors
Nathan & Julie Steensma - Executive Pastors
Good stuff! I can see Florence Littauer's "Personality Plus" personality temperaments in each of these.
ReplyDeleteI try to hire to my weaknesses (plural). I'm definately a combination of "The Ant" and "The Locust", my wife being a combination of "The Conie" and "The Spider". My recovery and youth pastors are locusts, music and children's pastor are spiders, early childhood pastors are both conies; and my board of elders are a combination of the four.
Sounds like you, too, have a good balance. That's one of the keys to building and maintaining healthy churches and ministries.