14Dec 2011 by Nigel Ring

100 years for Newfrontiers…

Newfrontiers, News
Well, more in fact - but I liked the rhyme! I have decided to postpone the rest of my series on team building until the New Year. Why? On Friday December 16th the Newfrontiers office will finally close after over 30 years so it seems appropriate for this blog to explain what is happening. With Terry Virgo moving to London (Surbiton), and the whole of Newfrontiers being redefined for expansion and a new season, the need for an office in Hove is no longer there. So the wonderful team I have had the privilege of leading is being disbanded. And that is where the 100 comes in. In fact they have served for over 100 years - and that does not include Terry himself! What a record and what a…
Read More
04Dec 2011 by Nigel Ring

Kenya Crisis Update and Appeal

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
The most severe crisis of drought and famine that has been faced by the Horn of Africa for over half a century has now been impacting several nations for over one year. Our involvement with churches in Kenya has enabled a crisis fund, currently standing at £230,000, to be channelled direct to places of the most severe need through this network of churches in the tribal semi-arid desert regions of Samburu and Turkana.  Particularly it has been possible to meet people's needs in their communities thus removing the added trauma of having to relocate to Relief Camps with all the attendant challenges and risks. Recently Edward Buria, who brings oversight to the Newfrontiers churches in Kenya, spoke to us on video. Through this you will see that rain has now…
Read More
27Nov 2011 by Nigel Ring

Teams that work – pt 10. Personality 2

Equipping, Team
Initiator/Responder Continuing our ‘pairs' of personality characteristics we will now consider the Initiator/Responder. This pairing is close to, but not identical with, Creator/Implementer. The Initiator is someone who wants to get on with the task in hand and is not frightened to take initiative. He or she will be willing to take the lead if there is no appointed leader. He will be peaceful about making decisions and taking responsibility for the consequences. The Responder is waiting for a leader but will then serve faithfully. He is secure in a team framework and is not looking for personal profile or recognition (though a bit of encouragement always helps!). A few years ago three couples in my local church approached the eldership to seek permission to start a ‘soup kitchen' for…
Read More
21Nov 2011 by Nigel Ring

Teams that work – pt 9. Personality 1

Equipping, Team
Personality tests? There are many personality tests which allow you and your colleagues to score yourselves in response to various questions. These result in defining you with particular personality types. For the team, or for serving in a church, I have found that a rather more pragmatic approach is often sufficient. Often people demonstrate certain characteristics by which people might define them: ‘Creative', ‘Initiator', ‘Extrovert' etc. Let's look at five such pairs and see how they can help us. Introvert/Extrovert A few years ago I had two excellent members of my staff team. For various reasons it was convenient for them to share an office. I soon discovered that something was wrong. Because they showed much grace it was necessary to be sensitive to dig out what the problem was.…
Read More
14Nov 2011 by Nigel Ring

Teams that work – pt 8. Time availability

Equipping, Team
Matching need with availability Recently we explored the appointment of another trustee for the local church. (In the UK all churches have to be within a charity structure). The person I wanted (I am Chair) would have much to contribute and would complement the gifting already on the trustee body. But he is a very busy man and so I had a conversation with him spelling out the time commitment I would expect. As we spoke it became clear that, although he was very willing in principle, to load him with another responsibility would be too time consuming. What is the time for? It is important to analyse what an individual's time is needed for. In the case of our trustees I make it clear that I want them for…
Read More
09Nov 2011 by Nigel Ring

Teams that work – pt 7. Spiritual maturity

Equipping, Team
Spiritual maturity Any team leader would like spiritually mature people on his team. Clearly, when building an apostolically-appointed eldership team this is not negotiable. Elders must have their own walk with God and be able to ‘take the rough with the smooth' without falling apart. The people who are following must have the security that the church is being well led without irresponsible decisions being made. Nevertheless, some churches I am aware of do have ‘leaders in training' sitting with them on occasion as a way of not only training future leadership but also of exposing such men to some of the pressures of eldership without them holding the ultimate responsibility. This can provide a great opportunity to see how they react in times of challenge, one way of following…
Read More