Everyone loves to be on a great team. The victories are richer, the defeats are easier to shoulder, and Together Everyone Achieves More.

Sorry for that, I couldn’t resist. HA! Anyhow, here is a short list of qualities that all great ministry teams share:

Celebration. On a healthy team, laughter comes easily. They are fun, plain and simple—only, it must not be plain and simple because I’ve seen a lot of people doing ministry together who aren’t experiencing any joy. Even when a team is experiencing extreme trials, joy is an option (2 Corinthians 8:2).

Contribution. We’re called to make a difference. Not to success as the world defines, but to a life of faithful living in the Spirit. Our calling is unique, and when we live in obedience, effectiveness follows in the wake. We’re wen’t created to sit on the sidelines, we are designed to make an impact in the world around us. (Romans 12:3-8)

Servanthood. The soul of a healthy team is drenched in humility. When it comes to any team doing well, there will always be spotlights and superstars. This is natural. What’s also natural is pride, arrogance, self sufficiency, and elitism. A good team needs to be committed to humility because this is how we enter the Kingdom, and it’s how we grow in the kingdom. (James 4:6)

Spiritual Growth. God uses us to do great things in the world; but he’s not limited, God doesn’t need us to do great things. So why is he working through us? This is a mystery, however the Bible is clear on at least one of them: God is doing something in us, not just through us. If you are on a ministry team and your aren’t growing, the situation is desperate and drastic change is urgently needed (1 Peter 2:5; Philippians 3:13-14).

Respect. On good teams, every player values all the other players. It’s easy to love the lovable, great teams have people who can love the people who are a little rough around the edges. (Luke 6:32–36)

Honesty. Trust is essential for a healthy team. When two soldiers are in a bunker, they can’t be looking over their shoulder at the other person. The students entrusted to our care have too many needs for us to be second guessing the other leaders around us. Every kind of significant relationship is based on trust. The surest and fastest way to begin, build, and maintain trust is honest. We must learn how to speak the truth in love. This isn’t a license to speak everything on our mind, but we must not hold back the important stuff. (1 Corinthians 13:6; Ephesians 4:15–16)

How about your team? Does it have an expression of celebration, contribution, servanthood, spiritual growth, respect, and honesty? What else would you add to this list?

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