Leading Ministry Teams, Part II: Research on Effective Teams with Implications for Ministry Team Leadership

Abstract

To date, the major research efforts on teams and teamwork are found solely in the publicatications of Larson and LaFasto (1989, 2001) as well as those of Katzenbach and Smith (1993, 2001). This article reviews their major findings and continued research in the last 20 years. Research on effective ministry teams in Christian ministry contexts shows a number of common elements that affirmed both Larson and LaFasto's eight characteristics of effective teams and Katzenbach and Smith's description of effective group fundamentals. Implications for church and parachurch ministries are considered in light of the biblical and theological review in part I, as well as the two major research efforts reviewed in this part II.

The Power of Language in Defining and Developing Teams

“…They suggested that “groups rely on the sum of ‘individual bests’ for their performance, but pursue no collective work products requiring joint effort” (p. 85). Those in ministry leadership must make a clear determination regarding this distinguishing point, which divides independent individuals collected in “groups” from integrated individuals cooperating as “teams.” “To team or not to team, that is the question” (Lawson & Eguizabal, 2009, p. 274). Simply renaming an existing collection of people a “team” and expecting improved results without modifying any of their processes or practices is akin to calling a fish a bird and expecting flight.…”