Understanding Jesus’ Approach to Team Building
In Luke 5:1-11, we read about Jesus calling his first disciples. As the story goes, Jesus began teaching by the shore, and as the people began to crowd him, he eventually asked Simon to allow him to preach from his boat so more could see and hear him. After he had finished teaching, Jesus blessed the fisherman by directing them to let down their nets for a catch. They did so and as the scripture tells us they caught so many fish that they had to signal their partners to come help them bring in the fish and even then, both boats were “so full that they began to sink.” At this, the fisherman was amazed and fell before Jesus. He then said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” And the men left everything and followed him.
Here are the principles I see Jesus utilize.
1.) Start Small – Jesus didn’t show up and just tell them to leave everything and follow him. He first simply asked if he could use their boats as a stage. Obviously, if they would have said no, this would have told Jesus something about them, but they didn’t so he continued pursuing them. So what does this look like practically? For me, most of the time I purposely don’t wear a watch, just so I have an excuse to talk to someone sitting next to me to inquire the time. It might not seem like much, but I’ve had some pretty incredible conversations come from the simple request, “Could you tell me the time?” Is one of your neighbors on your heart, ask to borrow one of their tools (and then make sure and return it.) Is this person already part of your ministry, ask to serve for an hour without asking for any commitment beyond that. How did they do? Did they show up on time? Did they serve with joy? Did they complete the task with excellence? The answers to these questions should tell you something and direct you with how to proceed.
2.) Equip Them – Before Jesus ever asked for a commitment from his soon to be disciples, he first taught them the Word. For me, in our ministry, we place a very high priority on understanding the gospel through the Word of God, so it’s important that before I ask for huge commitments that I know that the people I’m asking have been impacted by the Word in their life – that they have experienced grace first hand. If prospective team members seem unaffected by the Word – I’d suggest looking for someone else. When first meeting someone, it might not always be realistic to squeeze in an hour message, but you don’t have to. I like to hand out books and teaching CD’s. Do the people respond? Do they ask questions? Were they impacted?
3.) Seek to Fulfill Their Dreams – Again, before Jesus ever asked for a commitment, he first filled their boat with more fish than they could count. He showed that he wasn’t just interested in using them to fulfill his dreams, but that he was interested in fulfilling their dreams. In his book, Leadership That Builds People, Dr. James B. Richards says this about the typical model of recruitment, “What is the first thing we say when someone comes into our church? “Come on; catch the vision; become a part of it.” That denies servant-hood. Our introductory statement says, “Give up your dreams; give up what you want to do and help me do what I want to do.” Jesus model wasn’t about service, but wholeness. A true leader says, “Come follow me and I’ll see that your dreams are fulfilled along the way.” Get to know your people – what do they really want in life? What are their goals? How can these goals intersection with your ministry? How can you use your organization to further their dreams?
In conclusion, my biggest encouragement regarding recruiting would be to envision yourself in a world of more than enough; more than enough people, more than enough resources. When it comes down to it, essentially all of the excuses above come from a perspective of lack – from a place of questioning God’s provision and call for me. Be encouraged. God wants your church to succeed. In fact, I would venture to say that (assuming you are preaching the gospel) that he wants your church to succeed even more than you do, because ultimately and in actuality – it’s His church. So go out there and build that team. You got this, not because you’re an awesome church planter (though I’m certain that you are), but because you have an awesome God.
In Luke 5:1-11, we read about Jesus calling his first disciples. As the story goes, Jesus began teaching by the shore, and as the people began to crowd him, he eventually asked Simon to allow him to preach from his boat so more could see and hear him. After he had finished teaching, Jesus blessed the fisherman by directing them to let down their nets for a catch. They did so and as the scripture tells us they caught so many fish that they had to signal their partners to come help them bring in the fish and even then, both boats were “so full that they began to sink.” At this, the fisherman was amazed and fell before Jesus. He then said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” And the men left everything and followed him.
Here are the principles I see Jesus utilize.
1.) Start Small – Jesus didn’t show up and just tell them to leave everything and follow him. He first simply asked if he could use their boats as a stage. Obviously, if they would have said no, this would have told Jesus something about them, but they didn’t so he continued pursuing them. So what does this look like practically? For me, most of the time I purposely don’t wear a watch, just so I have an excuse to talk to someone sitting next to me to inquire the time. It might not seem like much, but I’ve had some pretty incredible conversations come from the simple request, “Could you tell me the time?” Is one of your neighbors on your heart, ask to borrow one of their tools (and then make sure and return it.) Is this person already part of your ministry, ask to serve for an hour without asking for any commitment beyond that. How did they do? Did they show up on time? Did they serve with joy? Did they complete the task with excellence? The answers to these questions should tell you something and direct you with how to proceed.
2.) Equip Them – Before Jesus ever asked for a commitment from his soon to be disciples, he first taught them the Word. For me, in our ministry, we place a very high priority on understanding the gospel through the Word of God, so it’s important that before I ask for huge commitments that I know that the people I’m asking have been impacted by the Word in their life – that they have experienced grace first hand. If prospective team members seem unaffected by the Word – I’d suggest looking for someone else. When first meeting someone, it might not always be realistic to squeeze in an hour message, but you don’t have to. I like to hand out books and teaching CD’s. Do the people respond? Do they ask questions? Were they impacted?
3.) Seek to Fulfill Their Dreams – Again, before Jesus ever asked for a commitment, he first filled their boat with more fish than they could count. He showed that he wasn’t just interested in using them to fulfill his dreams, but that he was interested in fulfilling their dreams. In his book, Leadership That Builds People, Dr. James B. Richards says this about the typical model of recruitment, “What is the first thing we say when someone comes into our church? “Come on; catch the vision; become a part of it.” That denies servant-hood. Our introductory statement says, “Give up your dreams; give up what you want to do and help me do what I want to do.” Jesus model wasn’t about service, but wholeness. A true leader says, “Come follow me and I’ll see that your dreams are fulfilled along the way.” Get to know your people – what do they really want in life? What are their goals? How can these goals intersection with your ministry? How can you use your organization to further their dreams?
In conclusion, my biggest encouragement regarding recruiting would be to envision yourself in a world of more than enough; more than enough people, more than enough resources. When it comes down to it, essentially all of the excuses above come from a perspective of lack – from a place of questioning God’s provision and call for me. Be encouraged. God wants your church to succeed. In fact, I would venture to say that (assuming you are preaching the gospel) that he wants your church to succeed even more than you do, because ultimately and in actuality – it’s His church. So go out there and build that team. You got this, not because you’re an awesome church planter (though I’m certain that you are), but because you have an awesome God.