Every once in a while a book will come along that ends up becoming a major game-changer for the local church. I think Larry Osborne’s book, Sticky Teams, is one such book. It is full of very practical advice that every ministry leader, and especially pastor, can and will find valuable. I’ve already read through the book twice and reference principles from it regularly in my church consultations.
I hope you already have your copy of Sticky Teams. If you don’t, get one. You won’t regret it. If you own it, but haven’t read it. Suggestion . . . read it this month.
I already referenced this book in the Thursday Quote: Sticky Teams and Young Eagles. Today, I’d like to point out another important principle from the book for you to mull over.
Guarding the Gate No Guts, No Unity
It’s hard to have a winning team with losing players, which is why guarding the gate is one of the most important tasks of leadership.
Think what happens when just one contentious or negative person joins the team. People start to walk on eggshells. Meetings become an exercise in conflict avoidance, and important initiatives are sidetracked or tabled in the hope that later discussion will somehow miraculously forge an agreement. Laughter and joy all but disappear. Off-the-record discussions and after-the-meeting meetings conspire to sabotage or change everything you thought you’d decided the night before. In short, it’s a real drag.
The same thing happens when an unproductive or toxic staff member comes aboard. Those who can’t cut it doom their area of ministry (and eventually the entire ministry) to mediocrity, while those who don’t fit in or refuse to play well with others (even if their area of ministry is a smashing success) quickly kill morale.
But worst of all, once a toxic board member or a troublesome staff member has a seat on the bus, it can take an act of God to get them off. Removal can be an incredibly difficult process.