Christian Club

Elements To Help Build a Healthy Team Spirit

2013-12-25T12:48:00.000+01:00

What fosters an attitude of team spirit in an organization?

Here are some elements that help build a healthy team spirit:

An understanding of the overall goals and objectives of the team-When the big picture objective is understood each team member is more willing to pull together to accomplish the mission because they know their purpose.
Healthy team relationships- For a team to have team spirit it needs to be filled with team members who actually like each other.
Fun times – A team needs time just to have fun together.
Team members who value the mission and the team – Some people are not team players. They may be great people, but they would work better outside a team environment.
A “we are in this together” attitude as a team – Healthy teams are those where its members are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission. There are no turf wars on a healthy team. (For more on this concept, read my previous postHERE.)
Team leadership that embraces the team environment – Some leaders lead best from the penthouse suite environment. They give orders well, but do not really enjoy playing the game with the team. Team leadership requires involvement.

How does your organization foster a team spirit? Do you feel you are a part of a healthy team? What could help your team’s spirit be healthier?

7 Signs of a Dysfunctional Team

2013-12-24T12:45:00.000+01:00

Chances are, if you’ve served on very many teams, that you’ve served on one that is dysfunctional. It appears to me that we have many to choose from in the organizational world. A dysfunctional team in simple terms is one that cannot operate at peak efficiency and performance because of a combination of negative characteristics.

If you have been on a dysfunctional team, then you’ve probably seen one or more of of the common traits found among a dysfunctional team. They do have commonalities.

Building A Team Around The Strengths Of The Team Members

2013-12-23T12:50:00.000+01:00

Is your strategy built around your organization’s people strengths?

Earlier I posted on the need of an organization to capitalize on its human capital. Read that post HERE. This post is a continuation of this thought. I consistently see churches and businesses that are built completely upon the strengths and desires of the leader. I even see places where everyone begins to look like the leader! (Same hair style, same glasses, etc.) That model works fine if the leader is Jesus (no joke intended here), but I am not sure it works as well if you and/or I am the leader.

The vision of an organization is constant. It doesn’t change. The strategy to accomplish the vision, however, should be fluid enough to meet changing environments, such as culture and economy. Part of determining that strategy should be built around the key people within the organization.

An important variable in determining strategy that is often overlooked is the strengths of the team members within the organization at the time. I posted before about the way organizations typically replace senior leaders. (Read that post HERE.) Organizations usually replace the top position with someone opposite from the one that leaves. They do this to build on a strength they feel the former leader didn’t have. While that may or may not be a valid method of replacing leadership, the real principle I believe the organization is trying to accomplish in that practice is finding new strengths for the organization. In like manner, the leader should try to capitalize on the strengths of the people within the organization or the team.

With that thought in mind, if you are the senior leader, ask yourself these questions:

Who is on my team?

What are the individual strengths represented on the team?

Is your organization structured in a way to allow these strengths to “strengthen” your organization?

If you do not like your answers, work to change the culture towards one that embraces the combined strength of the organization’s team members. A quick word of warning, however: If you truly want to create an organization built upon the strength of the team and that isn’t currently your situation, the biggest change may have to be in the leader…even if that leader is you.

Fostering an Attitude of Team Spirit (Whatever it Takes)

2013-12-22T12:53:00.000+01:00

One of the most damaging expressions in a team environment is the phrase “that’s not my job” or “that’s not my area of responsibility”. Thankfully I have never heard that said at Grace Community Church. Sadly it is far too common in organizations that claim to be a team environment. I talk with people on staffs frequently who feel they are on an island by themselves within the organization and no one ever helps them think through a problem, recruit volunteers for their area, or lend a hand during crunch times.

While I agree with the equally modern concept these days of job specialization, working from one’s strengths and having clear expectations of a job’s responsibility, the very concept of a team is one of shared resources and shared responsibilities. For a team to thrive it’s members must be willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission of the team.

Team leaders must foster a spirit of cooperation within the team. Leading by example, team leaders demonstrate this concept best by willingly participating in whatever is necessary to help the team, even if that task is way out of their comfort level or interest.

Does your team need a dose of a “whatever it takes” attitude? How does your team foster team spirit?

Elements of a Healthy Team

2013-12-11T12:32:00.001+01:00

I have written all week about team idleness. Check out more of the posts on the home page of this blog. I thought it was equally important to share some thoughts about what makes up a healthy team. Obviously that is our goal. Here are some quick elements of healthy teams:

Agreed upon mission: everyone knows where the organization wants to go and what a win looks like.

Right people: The people on the team are the correct fit for the role they have been assigned and have the proper training to complete their assignment.

Ample resources: Regardless of the awesomeness of a team, if the team lacks adequate resources it will never achieve its full potential. (Take it from a former small business owner…no matter how good your employees are cash is king!)

Consistent pace: Healthy teams can’t move too fast or they burnout. If they move to slow they stagnate. There will always be highs and lows with any team, but healthy teams find the right balance for the team and find ways to continue to grow.

Accountability: Teams fail when no one holds the members accountable for success. There are very few people who can continue to function well without a structure in place to insure consistent progress.

Healthy teams reach their full potential and guard against team idleness. Here’s my challenge for you and I to build healthy teams.

What suggestions do you have for building healthy teams?

Even Jesus had close friends

2013-10-03T12:34:00.000+01:00

Jesus had some friends that he was closer to than others. Is that a surprising thought for you? The fact is, that most of us have a few special friends that are closer and tighter than the rest of the group.

When a close friendship works, it’s an amazing joy. Being with our friends is delightful, fun and reassuring. Our friends challenge and inspire us and make us better, richer people.
Read more »

Was Jesus a zombie?

2013-10-02T12:32:00.000+01:00

"When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth"
George A Romero’s 1978 movie Dawn of the Dead is considered a horror classic. The dead have dug their way out of their graves and are slowly lurching around as horrific zombies. They’re not quite dead. And not quite alive. When done right, zombies are very, very scary.
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Don’t call me baby...or homeboy, or Cyborg Pirate Ninja, or....

2013-10-01T12:30:00.000+01:00

Your view of Jesus will shape your response to Jesus.
If Jesus is just your homeboy (check the t-shirt); then you’ll treat him like you treat any other buddy or mate.
If you view Jesus as a Cyborg Pirate Ninja (check this); then you’ll probably live in constant fear that he is going to sneak up on you and break your neck!
If you “like the Christmas Jesus best” (check this vid); then you’ll keep him wrapped up as a cute little baby in a manger, packed away with the Christmas decorations for the rest of the year.
Here’s the deal. Just like you and me, Jesus was once just a little baby. He cried. He crawled. He crapped. His birthday party, Christmas, is coming up soon. Two questions:
1. Why do we celebrate the birth of a baby from 2000 years ago?
2. What will cause you to think about Jesus more than just at Christmas?

Do not read this article!

2013-09-30T12:26:00.000+01:00

EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE
Do not pull this lever.
Fine for misuse: $20

Around my area, it seems we only ever get the really old, rattly trains. On some of the really old ones, there are manual hand brakes in every second carriage. The warning above appears in faded lettering next to each one. My friends and I have often discussed whether or not it’d be worth it – pulling that lever – just to see what would happen. Destructive teenagers, I guess.
Read more »

Revealed! the secrets of avoiding sexual temptation!

2013-09-29T12:23:00.000+01:00

God commands and demands that there shouldn't even be a hint of sexual immorality among us as His saved people (Ephesians 5:3). Of course, we all find this incredibly easy to do, right? WRONG!
This feels completely impossible most (maybe all) of the time. If there is one area of life where it feels like Satan is winning the battle, it’s in the area of sex. And if there is one area where our bodies are screaming out to us to disobey God, it’s in the area of sex.
So I want to give you my top 20 tips to help you avoid sexual immorality:

Find out what pleases the Lord. This is a command straight out of Ephesians 5:10, and is part of what it means to live a life worthy of our calling as Christians, and part of what it means to live a life of love, just as Christ loved us.
Find out what God’s will for your life is. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 says, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;” It doesn’t get much clearer than that!
The battle begins in the mind. You need to know what God says about sex and trust what God says about sex. You need to be careful what you fill your minds with. Imagination is often the hot-bed where sin is hatched. Martin Luther once said about sexual desires, “You can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from making nests in your hair.”
Pray (It is a spiritual battle too). Depend on God, on the power of His Holy Spirit to strengthen you in this battle. (Matthew 6:13; 2 Timothy 2:22; James 5:16)
Don't put yourself in situations where you will be easily tempted. There is little point praying that God would not lead you into temptation, then walking straight into a tempting situation.
Remember God is watching. You are never completely out of sight. Someone can always see you.
Wield the axe. Jesus says in Matthew 5, if your eye or hand causes you to sin, gouge them out and throw them away, because eternal life is at stake. So if the internet, magazines, TV, or peer groups are causing you to sin; wield the axe. Chop away those things that tempt you.
Talk about sex (accountability). You can't fight this alone. You need God's help and you need help from God's people too.
You are not alone. It can be helpful to know you are not the only person who has ever been tempted this way. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13a)
You CAN resist. "God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear" (1 Corinthians 10:13b).
Know that God provides a way out. "But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13c).
Count yourself dead to sin and alive to God. Christians are people who have died to sin (knowing that sin leads to death), and now live for God and righteousness, knowing that this leads to eternal life (Romans 6:11-14).
Remember the cross. Jesus died for our sins, including our sexual sins.
Remember Jesus is coming back. We will all have to give an account for our lives, even our sex life.
Memorise Scripture. When Jesus was tempted in the desert, he fired Scripture back at the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). Having God’s Word in the forefront of your mind can help you too.
Weariness and sadness often leads to sin. Learn to know yourself. Know when you are weak and susceptible to temptation.
Struggling is a good sign. Keep fighting and don't give in.
Be careful what you wear. Modesty is good for you and good for others too.
Forgiveness is available. If you sin sexually you can still be forgiven, such is the power of the cross of Christ. So repent, turn back to God and live for Him.
Read some good books. Fervr recently released Teen Sex By the Book. You might find it a helpful guide for answering some of your questions about sex.

I hope and pray that these tips will help you in this fight. Remember, 'not even a hint of sexual immorality', is God's loving standard for you (Ephesians 5:3)

Are Homosexuals going to hell?

2013-09-28T12:20:00.000+01:00

It’s increasingly one of the most hotly debated issues in our society, both inside and outside the church: Should countries like Australia change their marriage laws to allow homosexual couples to marry? It’s a question that raises many other questions about sex and marriage. It’s a question you might be asked by your family or friends or workmates, some of whom will have strong views on this issue. It may be a question that you or those you know find deeply personal. For these and many other reasons, Christians should be prepared to give an answer.
What does the Bible teach about homosexuality and marriage and does this apply today?
Read more »

Help im single!

2013-09-27T12:11:00.000+01:00

Different gifts for different people

Now I want to start by acknowledging that I just got married. So in one sense, it seems funny for me to write an article about singleness. But I have been single before, even though I may not have wrestled with this issue (in a personal sense) as much as others have. But let’s have a look at how the Bible describes singleness - you might be surprised.
In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul spends a good deal of time answering questions the Corinthian church had about marriage and singleness. Here is what he says in verses 7-9:
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And so what if my partner is an unbeliever?

2013-09-26T12:08:00.000+01:00

Christians are called to be different

You may not be old enough to be thinking seriously about marriage just yet, but you might be thinking about dating. The advice below applies equally to daters, as to those thinking of getting married.
The Bible teaches us that as Christians, we have freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1). This freedom, that Jesus so dearly bought for us, is freedom from slavery to sin and death. We are now free to live as God in his infinite wisdom, intends. So what kind of life are we to live?
Read more »

Are you insane? No sex before marriage?

2013-09-25T12:00:00.000+01:00

In case you’re wondering why Christians stick with the idea of no sex before marriage, here are some reasons.
Firstly, the Bible teaches it. Check out Romans 13:9, 1 Corinthians 6:13, 1 Corinthians 6:18 Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 5:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 for just a few references!

Taking the long-term view

If you wait until marriage, you can know that the person likes you for who you are, and not because you’ll go all the way. If you wait, you can have a good confidence that both you and your partner should be able to resist having affairs if you have been able to resist hopping into bed with each other! If you wait, you can focus on communication skills which will stand your marriage in good stead for the future.
Research shows that marriages that start out as live-together have a higher divorce rate than those that do not.
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And so what if i watch pornography?

2013-09-24T12:05:00.000+01:00

Pornography - a big issue

When it comes to thinking about how to live as a Christian, pornography is one of the most talked about topics that comes up. And you can guarantee that when you hear pornography being talked about in Christian circles, we're told that it's bad because:
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Sexting - why it’s a bad idea

2013-09-23T11:55:00.000+01:00

Sexting has been in the news a lot lately. Australia's first ''sexting'' case is before the Law Courts at the moment. Damien Eades has been charged with possession of child pornography because a 13 year-old girl sent naked photos of herself to his phone. And there is a new government ad campaign warning young people about the dangers of sexting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwKgg35YbC4).
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Campus Relationships: where do they end sef? Part two ~ Christian Club

2013-09-23T07:57:00.001+01:00

Campus Relationships: where do they end sef? Part two ~ Christian Club

How should I date?

2013-09-22T11:53:00.000+01:00

Whenever I hear my non-christian friends and family talk about dating or 'playing the field', and whenever I hear about dating in a movie or in a magazine, it always seems to include sleeping around. The theory seems to be, in order to find the right long-term partner, you should date as many people as possible, and 'try out' all the aspects of a long-term relationship.. ie. including sex.
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Is being gay a sin?

2013-09-21T11:49:00.000+01:00

Same sex attraction is when you have sexual feelings for people of the same sex as you. It's a massive issue in our society at the moment. And in the last few months I've spoken to a heap of young people at my church about same sex attraction.
A few weeks ago Dave* told me he has always been attracted to other boys, and if it comes to choosing between Jesus and expressing himself sexually, he might not choose Jesus.
More recently, Daniel* told me how he used to really struggle with his same sex attraction and felt that nobody accepted or loved him. He's said he prayed for many years and now
Read more »

11 Tips to help you avoid sexual immorality

2013-09-20T11:45:00.000+01:00

God commands and demands that there shouldn't even be a hint of sexual immorality among us as his saved people (Ephesians 5:3). Which, of course, we all find incredibly easy to do, right? WRONG! This feels completely impossible most (maybe all) of the time. If there is one area of life where it feels like Satan is winning the battle, its in the area of sex. And if there is one area where our bodies are screaming out for us to disobey God, its in the area of sex. So I want to give you my top 11 tips to help you avoid sexual immorality.
Read more »

Sex, money, and me

2013-09-19T11:32:00.000+01:00

When good things become god things

Everyone has a god. We all worship someone or something. Our hearts are prone to turning good things into god things. We create all sorts of idols that distract us from worshipping the Real God.
For many of us our default mode is the worship of SELF – we rebel against God’s rule over us and in doing so we make much of ourselves, heaping glory and honour upon the centre of the universe… me.
Another dominant god, obvious in a super-rich country, is the desire to worship STUFF – toys, gadgets, properties, cars, clothes, things and it’s really clear that many bow their knee to this god in their mad rush to accumulate more and more.
I don’t need to quote statistics on pornography or divulge the details of what is constantly going through the mind of a 16 year old boy to make the point that SEX is considered the ultimate god among many people – the desire for it, pursuit of it and preoccupation with it shows the object of our worship.
Two questions for you:

If we all worship someone or something, who or what are YOU worshipping?
How do I know who the REAL God is??? (Stay tuned for part 2)

Things that shouldn’t go together: urine and electricity, love and money

2013-09-18T11:28:00.000+01:00

Authorities believe a Washington man was killed by accidentally urinating on a downed power line after a car crash. Roy Messenger was not seriously hurt after he collided with a power pole. He called a relative to pull his car from the ditch. He apparently urinated into a roadside ditch without seeing the wire, and the electricity made it's way... to his body.

It would be an understatement to say that urine and electricity don't go together. Separately they work fine and are useful, but apparantly they can cause a lot of problems when you put them together.

Is money equal to success: Myth exposed!

2013-09-17T11:25:00.000+01:00

How much money do you need? How do you know if you're successful?

Article adapted from original by Graham Knox from Insight.
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The poor, the rich, Jesus, and you

2013-09-16T11:19:00.000+01:00

How can people living in slums have more joy than those in mansions?

There's a common belief across our world that our happiness is determined by the possessions we have. But the reality can be quite different...

Secrets of giving to beggars wisely!

2013-09-15T11:14:00.000+01:00

The cardboard sign says it all. I am homeless. Please help. The man, aged beyond his years, looks crumpled and dejected sitting on the pavement. I am on my way to the train station, and my train leaves in ten minutes. What do I do?

Jesus gave us the story of the Good Samaritan. That was a clear cut case of need—a Jew injured by robbers is helped by a Samaritan man who showed care and concern. But I am no fool, and I have some questions...

What if this person wants money for illicit drugs?
Can I realistically do anything useful to help him if I only see him once?
Should I try and find them accommodation?
What can I really do to be part of a longer term solution?

For a long time, my normal response was to avoid people I saw on the streets, especially if I was in a hurry or was conscious of money. More recently my attitude has changed and I look out for opportunities to talk to people on the street and offer help where it is possible.