Looking into the Future: The Top 10 Changes for the American Church
7. More Functional (Ministry Teams and Task Forces)
Any discussion of this change must begin with the recognition of the three primary forms of polity found in Protestant churches: congregational, presbyterian, and episcopal. In some ways those congregations with a congregational polity will find the changes simpler to make than those with the other forms. However, it is both necessary and appropriate for all churches to work to become more functional.
One simple way to begin change is to move from a committee structure to a ministry team based structure. The very language of team over committee suggests a more cooperative venture and the addition of ministry helps keep the group focused on the importance and scope of the work for which they are responsible. This change can also serve as an opportunity for each ministry team to rethink the purpose and frequency of its meetings.
Task forces and work groups should be utilized often to help ministry teams or the Session/Council/Vestry with a specific project. Unlike standing ministry teams (committees) these groups exist only for a defined period of time and to consider or complete a defined project.
Along with these structural considerations this shift also must occur at the level of congregational culture. Positional leaders (clergy, officers, etc.) must transition from finding ways to say no or slow down new ministry ideas generated by congregational participants to finding ways to say yes. The goal of every member in ministry must be facilitated by all levels of leadership.
So What?
Is your congregation focused on leadership groups that are increasingly functional in nature and a congregational culture that supports the priesthood of all believers via an intentional effort to empower each member to engage in ministry? Here are some questions to ponder:
- Are leadership groups (committees or teams) focused on maintenance or mission?
- Do leadership groups and positional leaders (i.e. clergy, officers, etc.) serve as gatekeepers who must approve every new ministry idea and who require these to go through a lengthy approval process or do these leaders and leadership groups seek to streamline the process and encourage creativity by all congregational participants in the design and development of new ministry ideas?
- Do those who serve as positional leaders strongly support those who emerge as functional leaders?
- How many more task forces or work groups were used in the last twelve months when compared to the number used 3 years ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago?
- How are ministry teams aligned around and encouraged to focus on congregational mission?