Question of the Week (9)
Simple really. We've asked our workers a bunch of questions and we're going to publish the answers week by week. This week's question is...
What's it like being part of a team?
Abbie*:
Being part of a team is wonderful and challenging. Though they are your colleagues, they become your family and your community and your fellowship. You need them and they need you. When you support them and help to make them strong it makes your bond stronger. And when you let them down or they let you down it is difficult to bear. When one has struggles, the others feel the pain. Team life takes consistent hard work and vulnerability. It's risky because you must choose to be present and give of yourself - and you don't always get the choice to do that when it's convenient. It can be incredibly heartbreaking, but when it's good it's unbelievably satisfying.
Maria*:
Being on a team is life-giving, satisfying, challenging, maddening, and sobering. If we want to keep accountable to a ‘thankless’, often fruitless ministry task, we need the encouragement of team. It is so easy to get distracted by the cares of life or the ‘temptation’ to use up all of our energy for ministry on more satisfying pursuits. We have been called to a hard task and we need encouragement and team work to survive. In God’s wisdom, He gives each of us different skills and gifts. Currently we have on our team some whose heart excels in the ministry of prayer, others who excel in evangelism, yet others who excel in making friends. We each use our gifts to bless the ministry of the team.
Sarah*:
The best kind of teams are inter-agency teams. Then valuable team time is not taken up with 'guess what HQ has decided now'. What you have in common with folks in an inter-agency team is the task you are here for, not the sending organization. The most important thing with a team is prayer support. Lifting each other up and rejoicing together is unique in a team of like-minded workers.
Peter*:
Our team is a ‘supporting team’ and most of our contact with each other is at a fortnightly meeting. It is nice to be able to catch up on news and hear how others’ ministries are going, as well as being prayed for and lifting others in prayer.
Elizabeth*:
The team is essential. Because we are all human and have our own personalities and cultural backgrounds, we can find it frustrating to need to work together. But I need the team for their prayers, to share my victories and difficulties, for a sense of accountibility and to feel that we are working together. Sometimes I don't see anything happening in my own ministry but then I can see it in my team member's. I don't like change so much, so it can be difficult to say goodbye so often to people leaving, and to get to know new members. Just like in marriage, God uses our differences to enhance our own lives and to grow, and He uses our simarlarities to build us up and encourage us. Without a team we actually couldn't function, and it is nice when we don't have to explain so much - we all have the same goals and dreams and are on the same page.
Stephen*:
In Islam, unity is defined by everyone saying the same prayers, fasting together, and going on pilgrimage together while wearing the same clothes. For Christians, and in teams, unity is defined in terms of a body. Members of teams are quite different but together we function as one. Unfortunately, often there is jealousy, miscommunication, and multiple visions for progression. Those are stressful times but, in the end, they help us to mature, grow, and deepen in our faith and work.
Jack*:
Teams are very helpful for keeping focus (especially here where there our so many diversions) on the locals. We often do ministry together - parties, desert BBQs, visits etc. We are blessed by each other's spiritual maturity and friendship. There are differing seasons of our need for or dependence upon the team. Sometimes it seems to get in the way, and other times is such a necessity. Since language school, we have never been part of a company-only team, and have appreciated the diversity and focus on the task, rather than company identity.
Ben*:
Great at times and really horrible at others. Depends on the team, but potentially it is the hardest aspect of being in the Arab world in God’s mission.
** Names have been changed.
Question of the Week will be back again in a few weeks.
Read last week's Question of the Week.
If you have any questions you want us to ask our workers, email them to awmhq@awm.org.
