Building a Dream Team to Support you in Ministry

Pastor, you can’t do what God has called you to do on your own. You were never meant to. In fact, you can’t find success on your own in any area of life—but it’s especially true in ministry. 

God has plans for your ministry that can’t be fulfilled without a team. Without the right team, some people won’t be reached, some ministries won’t get started, and some churches will never launch. 

The right team will bring out the best in you. Proverbs 27:17 teaches, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (NLT). Your teammates will sharpen and shape you so you can do more than you’ve ever dreamed possible. 

Every great leader has people around them to help them be better. You are no exception. But not just any group of people will do. You need the right people on your team. Specifically, whether you have five years or 50 years left in your ministry, here are four different types of people that every pastor needs on their ministry dream team.

• Models who inspire you by their example. Everything you learned in life, you learned by having a model—including how to talk, how to walk, and how to eat. We learn by watching other people. You need someone who will show you what your ministry can be in five, 10, or 15 years. If you don’t have someone in your life modeling this, you won’t get there.
  
• Mentors who coach you. No one mentor can coach you in every area. You’ll need many different mentors in your ministry—preaching mentors, counseling mentors, evangelism mentors, and more. Mentors have been where you’re going and are willing to share their knowledge and experiences so you can share in their successes and avoid their pitfalls. I’ve had several mentors in my life and ministry, from my father to Peter Drucker to Billy Graham. Each helped shape my gifts so I could have a more effective ministry.
  
• Partners who work with you. Partners are those who join you in bringing your church’s vision to life—this includes fellow leaders, members of your congregation, and others who work alongside you. They’re the ones who support and push the vision forward, sharing in the day-to-day efforts. There’s a saying that goes, “If you want to run fast, run alone. But if you want to run far, run together.” These are the people who run with you, helping you go the distance.
  
• Friends who love and pray for you. These aren’t necessarily people who are involved in your ministry every day, but they are available whenever you need encouragement. They remind you that you’re not alone. As pastors, we desperately need this. 

How you build your team

You start building your dream team by asking God to put the right people in your life. Look for people who share your values, have the skills and expertise you lack, and are committed to the same mission as you. 

Your ministry’s success is about far more than just what you can do on your own. In fact, if you can do it on your own, your ministry vision is way too small. Your success is about who you have around you. 

Build the right team and you’ll not only set yourself up to thrive, but you’ll prepare your church to be far more effective.