07Mar 2012 by Nigel Ring

Teams that work – pt 15. Supporting one another

Equipping, Team
As we come to the final part of this series I want to look at Phil 2:4-8, the heart of what Jesus has modelled for us in total unselfishness, putting our interests before his own, even to the extent of laying down his life for us. Over the last 30 years I have had the privilege of serving many teams, both as a member and as team leader. I have provided administrative support to various teams led by Terry Virgo and have given leadership to the management teams for the Downs and Stoneleigh Bible Weeks, and for the Together on a Mission Conferences. I have also led the staff team of Terry Virgo's office in Hove. In each case I have sought to encourage team members to see their role…
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27Feb 2012 by Nigel Ring

Teams that work – pt 14. Pulling together or apart?

Equipping, Team
Selfishness and bad attitude There are few more difficult members to have in a team than those who have their own hidden agendas. The selfish footballer who wants to score the goal when he should have passed the ball, or the cricket batsman who is more interested in his seasonal average than the welfare of the team, are each nightmares to the captain. Indeed, it is sometimes necessary to change the team selection to remove such a person. In Christian circles, too, that attitude can sometimes be present. The flesh in some people seeks after ‘glory' and ‘profile'. Such people are not good team players. Bad attitude represents a powerful force for destruction and Paul addresses the subject head on in Phil 2:3-8. He shows how Jesus' attitude was exemplary…
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15Feb 2012 by Nigel Ring

Teams that work – pt 13. A United Team

Equipping, Newfrontiers, Team
I have ben using Phil 2:1 to look at some of the features which create a positive environment in which a team can work. We shall now look at the characteristics and attitudes of the team itself through the next few verses. Complete joy As a team leader on many occasions and in many situations I can happily echo Paul's words to the Philippians ‘complete my joy...' How is this achieved? Through ‘being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind' (Phil 2:2b). Unity Unity of a team is a vital ingredient to success. But to achieve that unity takes time and effort. It does not just happen. Once the team is selected there needs to be an intentional ‘team building' to…
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03Feb 2012 by Nigel Ring

Teams that work – pt 12. A positive context

Equipping, Team
The atmosphere and ethos in which a team operates are important for success. Here I continue to look at some of the characteristics of a positive environment based Phil 2:1. Love The ability to encourage comes from a root of love. God is love - what better reason for being able to love one another? Indeed, we have no option - it is a command of Jesus: ‘love one another as I have loved you' (Jn 13:34). His love was demonstrated so vividly in being prepared even to die for us that our relationship with God the Father might be restored. Love does not equate with ‘like'. It is inevitable that we do not like all people with the same intensity - we might even dislike some! Love is different.…
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30Jan 2012 by Nigel Ring

Kenya drought – January update

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
When did it start? In November 2010 I was contacted by Edward Buria with a plea for help. Drought had once again hit Kenya and the Horn of Africa. In Kenya alone 5 million people were threatened with starvation. Could Newfrontiers churches raise some funds for food and water? Following an appeal, £260,000 has so far been raised to help alleviate the problem. Recent visit Recently I travelled with John Buria, Edward's brother, and his relief team into Turkana and Samburu to see what the situation is currently like and to learn about the intervention the Newfrontiers churches have brought over the last 15 months. After a long hot journey (temperatures around 40 degrees) we reached a remote location west of Lake Turkana, 17 hours by road from the Newfrontiers…
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27Jan 2012 by Nigel Ring

Teams that work – pt 11. Togetherness

Equipping, Team
My last posting on Teams was last year, at the end of November. Since then I posted a series of ‘one off' blogs and also took a Christmas break. Now I would like to return to this series on ‘Teams that work'. But first I would like to talk about books. I was greatly encouraged recently to be told from different sources how helpful my book The Poor deserve the Best is proving to be. I am aware that it is difficult to obtain this book at present as the Newfrontiers Resources are being reorganised and not taking orders at present. So if you do not yet have a copy (or of the accompanying publication Embracing the Poor, which is also available on Amazon) I would be very pleased to…
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