Introduction
It is evident throughout scripture that relationships are important in the process of spiritual formation and discipleship (Prov. 13:20; John 15:12-13; 1 Cor. 13:13; Heb. 10:24-25; et al.), however, it is necessary to understand how this is to exist among ministerial staff members. Cultural diversity is often distinguished by race or nationality, but a better understanding of cultural diversity reveals a much broader context (Livermore, 2015). Each individual’s life experiences have shaped his or her cultural norm and affect how he or she interacts with other individuals (David Livermore, Leading with Cultural Intelligence). In ministry, each ministerial staff member brings his own calling, culture, and passions to the team that will be diverse from the other ministers. Research must be conducted to understand how solid relationships and unity can be developed within the context of such diversity. In a 3-part series, we will seek to discover a model for team dynamics that unifies diverse staff members with their own views of ministry and calling and bringing them together. While Lencioni (2016) and MacMillan (2001) each provide valuable insight into team dynamics, it is necessary to expound on their research to understand the gap which exists within a ministerial team context. Ministerial staff members must create solid relationships among their teams so that they can effectively equip one another to minister to the church as a whole.
Biblical Examination
Before understanding ministerial staff relationships in a modern context, it is first necessary to discover the Biblical context for interpersonal interactions among disciples of Jesus. Two passages will be examined to recognize the relationships between Jesus and his disciples, as well as the disciples carrying the message throughout the world following Christ’s resurrection. The first passage this researcher intends to exegete is Mark 6:7-13, 30-32. This passage provides insight into the sending out of the twelve disciples who had been under Jesus’ leadership. Key aspects of the process and instructions for sending them out will be examined, as well as the debrief which occurs when the entire team is brought back together. Another passage that this researcher will exegete is Acts 15:36-41, which provides an example of team conflict and the necessity of solid relationships. By developing a deeper understanding of each of these passages, and measuring against the current literature, it will reveal ministerial staff members must create solid relationships among their team so that they can effectively equip one another to minister to the church as a whole.
Mark 6:7-13, 30-32
The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark, perhaps as the earliest Gospel written recording the first-person accounts of the apostle Peter (Cooper, 2000). Mark records many acts of Jesus throughout his gospel, highlighting the servanthood of Jesus. In Mark 6:7, one discovers Jesus’ action of sending out the twelve disciples to conduct the ministry they had been witnessing Jesus do for some time. Mark records the event as follows, “And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7, NASB). This passage reveals two key aspects of ministerial relationships. The first revelation is that Jesus began to send the disciples out in pairs. This is significant because the disciples could have reached more areas of the country traveling on their own and being sent in twelve different directions (MacArthur, 2006). In ancient culture, it was necessary to have two or more witnesses for any testimony to be valid (Deut. 17:6). This was one reason for sending out the disciples in pairs, but Jesus also recognized how the sending of pairs would allow for bonding and develop a more cohesive bond among the group (Cooper, 2000). By having the support of one another on the journey, it would allow for encouragement and to draw strength from one another (MacArthur, 2006).
The second key aspect found in verse seven was the authority Jesus passed to the disciples giving them “authority over unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7). The Greek word for authority, exousia, can be translated in various ways to represent different spheres of power (Friberg, Friberg, & Miller, 2005). The best translation for this passage is the power to rule in which others must submit to the commands of the apostles (Friberg, Friberg, & Miller, 2005). Jesus provided extended His universal power over the spiritual world to His apostles as they were sent out in groups of two. While this highlights that power comes from God, it is evident that God can meet the needs of people through the teamwork of others (MacArthur, 2006). This further illustrates the writing found in Ecclesiastes, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm [alone?] And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three [strands] is not quickly torn apart” (Eccl. 4:9-12).
Therefore, this passage brings recognition to the importance of community and the building up of one another. Jesus gave special attention to the twelve to provide specific instructions for the task at hand, but the primary focus was that the apostles would carry out this mission together. After the missionary journeys, Jesus once again gathers together the twelve and encourages a time of debriefing (Mark 6:30). Jesus, being fully man, understood how much fatigue ministry can cause, therefore he encourages the disciples to come away for a time of rest (Cooper, 2000). This would have also provided the disciples the opportunity to gather together as an entire team to share the stories and experiences each team of two had participated in. Teamwork proves valuable among the team as a whole, as well as sub-teams when a time of debriefing is provided. If the disciples had left to never return to join back together with the other pairs, it would have been challenging to recognize what God did through each team. Bird and Hartwig (2015) suggest the most effective teams continually work together and improve as a team rather than focusing on individual growth. While scripture does not provide in-depth discussion, one may deduct the disciples would have had a time of discussing and learning from one another’s journey under the direction and teaching of Jesus. Jesus clearly placed an emphasis on teamwork and community in this passage and can be summed by other words of Jesus, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
Acts 15:36-41
The passage in Acts occurs approximately twenty years after the resurrection of Jesus and follows the early spreading of the Gospel throughout the region. The phrase the author Luke uses is, “meta tis hēmera,” which signifies a time division and transition in the accounts (Cooper, 2000). Paul and Barnabas had finished a first missionary journey and were seeking to return to the cities they had visited to follow up with the converts and churches in each city (Acts 15:36). While one may perceive this as a simple interaction, an early conflict among believers is presented. Barnabas suggests they take the young disciple John Mark (author of the Gospel of Mark), however, Paul strongly disagrees. The Greek word used is, axioō, which suggests Paul did not believe Mark was right for the journey and believed Mark’s desertion on the previous journey was evidence of his argument. However, Barnabas had a different opinion which led to a “sharp disagreement” (Acts 15:39). This sharp disagreement, paroxysmos, is recognized as “blow up” between the two demonstrating extreme contentions between the two believers (Cooper, 2000). Williford & Williford (2006) reveal a common problem among ministerial staff as rigidity is decisions. When ministers are too rigid or fixed in one place to budge, it can result in unhealthy staff relationships (Williford & Williford, 2006). This symptom is demonstrated through Paul and Barnabas’ actions resulting in a separation of the two in their ministry journey. Barnabas would leave with Mark to sail to Cyprus, while Paul would invite Silas to join him (Acts 15:39-40).
Within the context of ministry, individuals will possess different opinions for steps to move forward in the future endeavors of the church. The challenge arises when discovering how to address disagreement with each side believes he is correct. Paul and Barnabas were in strong disagreement with how to address Mark’s desertion. Paul sought to disqualify Mark for his serious ministry blunder, while Barnabas sought to restore him to a ministry role (Cooper, 2000). While this conflict led to the separation of two individuals, God used this as an opportunity to lead two teams on different missionary journeys. This demonstrates how God can work through conflict and disagreements to further His will (MacArthur, 2006). Scripture later reveals that Paul would reconcile with Mark and embrace him for the ministry work he would do with Barnabas (Col. 4:10; Phil. 24). Conflict will always present itself among ministerial staff members, however, they must learn to navigate conflict in such a way that builds their testimony and ministers to the individuals placed under their care.
Having established a biblical foundation for staff relationships and effective ministry, part 2 will examine the core competencies of ministerial staff members. Before effectively leading a team, a minister must invest in the personal and individual examination and growth to prepare his or her heart for team interactions.
