Doing Church as a Team - part 2

Continued thoughts from the conference in Hawaii

by Dan Lentz

At the final evening session, Wayne Cordeiro spoke on the very relevant topic of “Doing Ministry While Facing Relational Tension.” Small group relationships and ministry relationships in general are a difficult balancing act of giving grace while expecting progress and growth. Doing ministry together in the midst of relational offenses can be challenging and limit ministry effectiveness. Wayne provided several helpful ideas to help deal with a relational offenses in groups:

Remember that we ALL need forgiveness! All relational dynamics with God and with man hinge on forgiveness. Don’t look at another’s need for forgiveness without looking at your own need for forgiveness.

God’s workings in and around us are related to the health of our relationships. Jesus could do no great miracles in His hometown because of the relational dysfunction among His family and friends (Mark 6:3-6). So, it is better to refuse to be offended and let it go, or if you can’t, resolve it quickly so we don’t hinder the Lord’s work.

Our relational encounters are demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s activity. For that reason, when we greet and interact with one another, our greetings and conversations should be demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s love, joy, peace, patience, etc.

There are more great resources to explore from this conference. See more about the conference at www.enewhope.org