What To Do When You’re On A Bad Team

Some team leaders are dictatorial and insecure. One of my pet peeves…
1. Decide if you want to stay on that team.
Every team has its own color—its own mascot—it own flavor.
2. Demotion or promotion is in the power of your hands.
How you handle the pressure determines if you play or not. Illus: David & Saul
3. Determine what price you are willing to pay.
You may suggest something and the team leader may question your loyalty.  Of course your previous productivity is what gives you privilege.
4. Devote yourself to really praying for your team leader. Your pastor the point man and deals with stuff you know nothing about. Paul talked about all the things he went through in 2 Cor. 11. The pressure of the church was a lot worse than all his other trials!
23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 2 Cor 11:23-28 NIV

5. Do not go over to the Dark Side.
I’m sure you watched some of the Star War movies and Darth Vader and the Dark Side was always trying to tempt others to come over to the side and end up being an Absalom or Jezebel.

-In spite of their weakness your pastor/leader needs your support.
9 ways to support your Pastor

1. Initiate in saying ‘thank you’ & in giving.
2. Never display a bad attitude
3. Follow through on a task or a commitment.
4. Look for ways to make a difference, and then do it.
5. Understand him and love him unconditionally.
6. Equip those within the area of your responsibility.
7. Never just sit back—be an active worker/volunteer.
8. Carry your responsibility with joy.
9. Embrace growth for yourself and the organization.“Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make these things harder for them?”  (Hebrews 13:17 The Message).

One of the sins of being a young leader is complaining about those in authority over you.  Learn to communicate supportively:  I’ve Got Your Back.  You must be praying for your lead pastor with more intentionality and passion.

#1 – His Walk With God –Pray that His relationship with Jesus will be FRESH and that he will be filled with vision and passion like never before.-Pray that his relationship with Jesus is more than obligation…but an OBSESSION!!!  -It is VERY tempting for a pastor to read the Bible for sermon prep and NOT to know Jesus.
#2 – His Integrity – It takes YEARS to establish integrity…and it can be destroyed in seconds.  Pray for your pastor to keep his eyes on Jesus and OFF of anything that might lead him astray!!!
#3 – His Marriage – Pray that your pastor just doesn’t preach about a healthy marriage…but LIVES it out.  I promise you the enemy comes STRONG after his marriage…and his kids!!!  Lift up his wife and children by name as well!!!
#4 – His Sanity – He deals with critics, he deals with unrealistic expectations, he deals with accusations, he deals with pressure that is intense.  Pray that he will keep his sanity.  Heard of a survey that said only 10% of the men entering the ministry actually retire…the others either get disqualified OR drop out!  That is a 90% failure rate!!!  THE STAKES ARE HIGH!!!
#5 – His Health – Illus: Read about a pastors meeting of pastors under 35 years of age that pastored large churches—way over half, almost 2/3 had been hospitalized for serious medical problems—brought on by stress & anxiety. -This I know—got to have good health to have good ministry. Good health does not just happen–physical, emotional and spiritual… -Just because Dave is young does not mean he is healthy! ☺ Don’t assume that! Guard his back!

Seriously…watch your leader’s back—if you don’t like the way we do church that’s ok, if you hate your leader…watch his back. Pray that Jesus will speak to him and through him in ways that he has never experienced.

-Rick Warren says that pastors are the most underrated change agents in the world…I agree. SO…how about lifting him up before God–pray that Jesus will have HIS way in Dave’s life!