Experiencing a mission team come together can either be highly frustrating or highly energizing. Of course, all team leaders prefer the latter. Leaders and team members can witness their mission taken to the next level if the right and God appointed member comes together.
Things to remember as a team leader when selecting short-term mission team members:
- This is God’s team, not yours. You are just to lead the team to where each individual member can shine for God.
- This is God’s mission, not yours. You are just entrusted to lead the team.
- This is God’s mission field, not yours. You are there to be an instrument and witness the miracle of what God has done, is doing and will be doing in the hearts of His people, including you.
Question that can help with discerning and selecting team member:
1) Does this person believed in Jesus as their personal savior and the Lord of his/her life?
A fundamental faith in believing Jesus as his/her personal savior and Lord is the first and foremost criteria to be the team member because the main purpose of any mission work is evangelism – make Jesus known to the people by sharing the faith, hope and love of Jesus through God’s given gifts that we have. Sharing the message of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ is the ultimate goal of Christian mission work. Jesus calls us to be disciples first before missionaries.
Biblical references:
1 Corinthians 13:13
John 3:16
Matthew 28: 18-20
2) Does this person exhibit Christian characters or bearing fruits?
A person character is foundational to everything else. As Christians, we hope our characters set us apart (transformation). No matter how qualified a person may seem, if he or she has questionable character, problems will develop in mission field and it will affect the team dynamics to accomplish what God has set for the team.
Biblical references:
1 Chronicles 29:17
Proverbs 17:3
Romans 5:3-4
Philippians 4:8-9
2 Peter 1:5-6
3) Does the chemistry of the person match the team and the leadership?
Many of us have undoubtedly served on teams with highly competent people. But sometime that person acts in a self-serving way. Regardless of how competent and gifted he or she is, this type of behavior can destroy a team.
Biblical references:
Ephesians 4:3
Philippians 2:2
Romans 14:19
Romans 12:4-5
4) Will the person align with the vision of the leadership (team leader/ mission field leader)?
If a person is on a mission team and disagree with the major direction and focus of the mission goals or leaders. Maybe that person needs to lead a team, instead be on this particular team. If you are a leader who is seeking to bring a person on the team, and you sense that he or she does not align with your vision, you should thinking of not having this person on your team. A team with diverse visions is not a team at all.
Biblical reference:
Hebrews 13:17
5) Can you trust the person?
Ultimately the trust issue is whether or not the person is looking after their own interests and preferences or the interests of the team, the leader and the calling. If you have to wonder what the motivation is of a prospective tem member, you may need to explore further about the candidate.
Biblical references:
1 Peter 5:8
Ephesians 6:6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
Sam Ng
April 21, 2015