Keys for the Solo Pastor Building Effective Volunteer Teams

Solo pastors have a tremendous team-building opportunity. The reality of church and staff size is this: bigger is not necessarily better. Numbers compound and complicate ministry. The principles that guide team building are foundational to all churches. The work of discernment is in how these principles are applied in each congregation. As a solo pastor, know that teams can thrive in your church. You can bias your potential for success if you will practice the following principles:

Faithfully Apply Empowerment Principles

Jesus ministered to crowds, but spent additional time with a smaller group of disciples delegating, equipping, and briefing them concerning ministry. In every church, there are people who have potential to do substantive ministry. Recruit them to work along side you in praying for people, visiting the sick, or managing an event. Train them yourself or ask a competent colleague to assist. Assign volunteers responsibility and authority. Set up an accountability loop by establishing regular times when you and the volunteer meet to discuss what he has experienced, what is working well, where he needs assistance, and how well his work is accomplishing the goals of the church. Pastors can create an inspiring climate of ministry in their churches by wisely empowering others to do ministry.

Be Ruthlessly Disciplined About Focus

Focus has power. Light focused into a beam becomes a laser and can cut through steel. Disseminated light has no power. Church programs are similar to light. When programs are focused toward vision and purpose, they will have power.

Mobilize teams around a clear vision, purpose, and objective. Avoid weakening your volunteers’ efforts by scheduling too many programs. Quality teams need time to prepare and work together; give them that time. Avoid the tendency to take on too many programs in your church. Stay focused. Do a few things well. Nurture team relationships and evaluate team performance.

Anchor Your Self-Worth in Christ’s Cross

Unrealistic, self-imposed expectations about ministry success can wreak havoc on a pastor’s attitude and affect his ability to develop ministry teams. Even though Ephesians 4:11–13 encourages pastors to equip God’s people, an insecure pastor will lead from a position of fear. Often this fear causes the pastor to withhold information, resources, opportunities, and authority that are essential for a team’s success. Solo pastors who build effective ministry teams must be confident in their identity in Christ and their calling. Confidence becomes a catalyst for releasing ministry, coaching volunteers toward greater fruitfulness, and celebrating successes with others.

As a solo pastor, building ministry teams has many rewards. To experience these rewards apply team-building principles with your church in mind. When teams develop and have success, both you and the people will rejoice. Few things energize a congregation more than effectively working together and seeing the Kingdom advanced.

Tim Hager, Bristow, Virginia