Building an Effective Digital Ministry Team: Your Most Valuable Asset

So far in this series, we have looked at defining your audience, building your strategy and content creation. However, in this article, I will give you what I believe is the key to unlocking success in Digital Ministry – building the right team.

I’m sure you can relate when I say we’ve all had our share of team experiences – the awesome ones that make us feel unstoppable and, well, the not-so-great ones that left us scratching our heads. But let me tell you, when you see a team work well, it’s like nothing else.

Here’s the deal: a team firing on all cylinders can achieve more than any individual effort. That’s why having a solid team is essential for the growth of our digital ministries. There might be challenges, from different personalities to varied goals and skills, but the long-term benefit is worth it. I’ve learned this lesson over and over again throughout the years.

As leaders, we play a pivotal role in our team’s success. It’s all about how we help them be the best they can be. Effective leadership means getting everyone into their “sweet spot” and rallying around a common goal. To do this, there are two big things we need to focus on:

Sharing the Vision: You must communicate the big picture and ensure your team is on board. The vision should be a driving force, keeping everyone motivated and aligned.

Skill Assessment and Matching: It’s like putting puzzle pieces together – you need to understand each member of your team’s strengths and align them with the vision and each other. When each person’s skills mesh with the goal, something extraordinary happens.

Let’s not overlook what I consider the “currency” of good teamwork – trust. Without trust, things fall apart easily and quickly. But when it’s there, we can conquer anything.

Trust, though, is something we’ve got to build actively.

Here are a few tips on how:

Positive Feedback: Regularly encourage your team members when they do something awesome. But also don’t shy away from giving constructive feedback when needed.

Build Relationships: It’s not just about work. Spend time with your team outside of the pressure of “doing”, get to know them, and let them get to know you too.

One-on-One Time: Meeting individually to give feedback and offer training is vital; your team will value this.

But watch out for trust pitfalls – things that will tare down what you are building quicker than you can snap your fingers:

Keep Cool: Stay calm and consistent in how you communicate. No one appreciates being led by a leader with mood swings!

Empower, Don’t Undermine: Give room for mistakes and address them privately. No one benefits from public humiliation.

No Multi-Delegating: Trust your initial choice. Asking several people to do the same thing breeds confusion and mistrust.

Remember, as leaders, we set the stage for our team’s success. The culture we create will be the heartbeat of the team. When the team thrives, we all thrive.

Switching gears, a bit, I see many church media teams focus attention on finding people with the right skills. But, long term, there are better approaches than that.

Instead, build your team from the following three traits: Character, Commitment and THEN Competence.

In the process of building your team, prioritising high character is paramount. Seek individuals who embody trustworthiness, dependability, and a servant’s heart. This is the best foundation to build any team, particularly a digital ministry team.

Equally crucial is commitment. Team members who consistently arrive punctually, remain prepared for any situation and take their responsibilities seriously contribute immeasurable value. Commitment sustains their resilience during challenges and guarantees their dedication to your shared mission.

While competence holds significance, it doesn’t overshadow character and commitment. Expertise can be nurtured, skills can be taught, yet, character and dedication are intrinsic qualities that form the bedrock of a thriving team.

But what about the skills part?

Well, you want to find the place where skills, practice, and anointing intersect.

God empowers us in our crafts, creativity and functions. We’re all invited to partner with Him to achieve His purpose.

It starts with discovering what someone is good at. Then, you need to find ways they can learn more and grow in this skill (the practice bit). That takes time and can continue to grow and develop no matter how experienced someone is.

And then there’s the anointing. This is the sweet spot where it all comes together, the craftsmanship, practice, and the bit that only God can do.

This is best shown in the story of Bezalel from Exodus 31. His story shows how giftings, practice, and anointing can combine for something extraordinary.

Imagine the impact when our efforts align with God’s touch!

That is why I don’t believe it’s about being a jack of all trades. It’s about focusing on what someone does best and letting others shine in their areas.

As leaders, we’re the orchestrators, bringing the right people on board to do what they excel at.

Even if resources are tight, keep looking for the right people. I’ve seen it happen repeatedly – God brings the right people our way when we’re faithful.

So, embrace your role as a leader, let others thrive, and watch your digital ministry team create something remarkable.

The starting point for making changes in any area is to know where you are now. That’s what the Digital Ministry Assessment will show you. Take the Assessment now:

www.digitalministryassessment.com

You’ll get a free 22-page report outlining how your Digital Ministry is doing and giving you practical steps to take to see the improvements you want.