Team Ministry Fair October 22, 2006

Team Ministry is...

At Cicero Christian Church, we teach that every Christian is…

created for ministry (Ephesians 2:10),

saved for ministry (2 Timothy 1:9),

called into ministry (1 Peter 2:9-10),

gifted for ministry (1 Peter 4:10),

authorized for ministry (Matthew 20:26-28),

commanded to minister (Matthew 20:26-28),

to be prepared for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12),

needed for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:27),

accountable for ministry, and will be

rewarded according to his or her ministry (Colossians 3:23-24).

Team Ministry at Cicero Christian Church consists of organized groups of individuals with authority to design and carry out certain church activities in line with the church’s overall vision. A ministry team of Players, under the leadership of its Coach, sets specific objectives to be accomplished. The ministry team Coach is under the leadership of the ministry center Manager, who is under the authority of the ordained elders of the church. The team determines the particular programs and activities that will constitute its ministry, requests a budget and decides how the approved funds allotted are spent.

We encourage you to take the a Spiritual Gifts Inventory and then look at the teams descriptions to see where you can put your spiritual gifts to work.

Team Ministry Tools

Many of these links require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this software, get it by clicking on the logo to the right.

Exploring My Gifts and Passions Guide

For those interested in serving on a team ministry in a player or coach role.

You may read the content below (click here to skip to Guide below) or view it in Adobe Acrobat format (click here to open Acrobat File).

Team Managers & Coaches Guide

For those already in leadership, this concise tool can help you connect and encourage new volunteers to team ministry.

You may read the content below (click here to skip to Guide below) or view it in Adobe Acrobat format (click here to open Acrobat File).

Listing of Team Ministries, Managers and Coaches

You may read the list of current Team Ministries, Managers and Coaches on the website (click here to skip to listing) or view it in Adobe Acrobat format (click here to open Acrobat File).

Quick Start "Just Do It!" Brochure

For those seeking basic information about how to join a team ministry, view this Quick Start Brochure in Adobe Acrobat format (click here to open Acrobat File).

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Three online resources are linked to our site.

Team Ministry Evaluation & Budget Tools

Per our constitution and by-laws, an annual evaluation of team ministry is required to be completed prior to the vision for the congregation meeting held the third Sunday in October annually. People who meet requirements and are willing to serve for the following calendar year are approved at this annual meeting.

As part of the evaluation process, the budget for the next fiscal (Jan-Dec) year is started, and will be approved by the team ministry cabinet in December of each calendar year.

2010 Team Ministry Evaluation & Budget Process

Letter 9/18/09 to Team Ministry Managers & Coaches (on stationary) - in mailboxes at church 9/20/2009, to be mailed to those not picked up on Thursday, September 24.
Team Ministry 2010 Forecast Form (on purple paper) - Due October 4, 2009
Team Ministry Leadership Covenant (on ivory paper) - Due October 14, 2009.
Team Ministry List and Descriptions (blue booklet) as of 9/18/2009, (with descriptions which need to be updated)
Budget Request for 2010 Form and Guidelines for Spending (on green paper) - Due October 14, 2009. Historical information for budgeting is available by clicking here. Contact Sherry Strauss for detailed spending reports at sherry[at]reachteachserve.org
Link to Tax Exempt ST-105 form (on goldenrod paper) for purchasing without tax. Call the church office and we'll provide the details to fill out the form correctly. (You'll need the church's tax exempt number - if you have it you can fill out the form, and you can sign the form. We don't want to give the whole world the number!)
9/25/2009 Budget Spending Report. This report lists the 2009 budget figures and the amount spent as of 9/25/2009. Sherry Strauss can run you a line-item report of spending for 2009, the past 12 months, or previous years.
Bulletin Insert of Draft 1 Proposed Team Ministry Managers and Coaches, dated 10/1/2009. Inserted in bulletin on pink paper on Sunday, October 4. Two additional versions, updated with changes gathered in the previous week, will be inserted in the bulletin on October 11 and the final version on October 18.
Bulletin Insert of Draft 2 Proposed Team Ministry Managers and Coaches, dated 10/11/2009. Inserted in bulletin on violet paper on Sunday, October 11. Updates from Draft 1 are dotted underlined. One more version to go, the final version!
Bullet insert of Team Ministry Descriptions for 2010, dated 10/16/2009 on peach paper on Sunday, October 18. This is the version for presentation at the congregational meeting on October 18 and represents the culmination of the evaluation process for team ministry.
A Look At Our Budget report dated 10/18/2009 as presented (with corrections) at the Congregational meeting on October 18 is a comparison of our financial picture over the last year.
Sunday, December 13 Team Ministry Cabinet meeting to elect cabinet officers for 2010, review proposed budget for future vote, and introduction of 2010 church-wide theme. Meet in the multipurpose room immediately after second service.
- Team Cabinet Officers for 2010 are: Co-Chairmen Ron McGill and Steve Zell; Secretary Beth Roberts; Treasurer Sherry Strauss
- To see the Mission 2020 Booklet presented at the meeting, click here
- To review the 2010 Cicero Christian Church Budget Draft 4, presented at the meeting, click here.
A vote to approve a final budget was taken January 10 following second service in the multipurpose room on the final draft of the budget, which you can see the final budget by clicking here.

Although hard copy of the forms are requested, with the exception of the team ministry covenant (which requires a signature), you may email the content of the budget and forecast forms to beth[at]reachteachserve.org. Please follow the structure of the forms (linked above) in email content.

2009 Team Ministry Evaluation and Budget Process

Letter 9/17/08 to Team Ministry Managers & Coaches (on stationary) - in mailboxes at church 9/21/2008, to be mailed to those not picked up on Thursday, September 25.
Team Ministry 2009 Forecast Form (on purple paper) - Due October 5, 2008
Team Ministry Leadership Covenant (on ivory paper) - Due October 15, 2008. Not required if you have previously turned one in.
Team Ministry Listings (pink booklet) as of 9/15/2008, (with descriptions which need to be updated)
Budget 2009 Form and Guidelines for Spending (on green paper) - Due October 15, 2008. Historical information for budgeting is available by clicking here.
Link to Tax Exempt ST-105 form (on goldenrod paper) for purchasing without tax. Call the church office and we'll provide the details to fill out the form correctly. (You'll need the church's tax exempt number - if you have it you can fill out the form, and you can sign the form. We don't want to give the whole world the number!)
Bulletin Insert 10/5/2008 Proposed Team Ministry Coaches and Managers for 2009 dated 10/1/2008, also inserted in bulletin 10/12 with no changes.
Congregational Meeting Materials from October 19, 2008
- "A Look at Our Budget" financial review from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008
- Budget Status Report 9/30/08
- Reach Teach Serve Check Up instructions and forms
- Team Ministry Listing with Descriptions as prepared for Congregational meeting, dated 10/17/08
Approved Team Ministry Listing with Descriptions for 2009 updated 10/20/2008 after Vision for the Congregation meeting on October 19, 2008.
Budget for Review / Approval for 2009 (click here for draft four of the budget for review and approval) - Team Ministry Cabinet coaches and managers (incoming for 2009) are eligible to vote on budget Sunday, December 14, 2008 after combined worship service. REVIEW THESE MATERIALS BEFORE VOTE!
Approved Budget for 2009 on 12/14/2008 with Team Ministry Cabinet Vote. Click here to see the final budget. Approved Cabinet Officers for 2009:
- Cabinet Chairman-Ron McGill
- Cabinet Co-Chairman - Steve Zell
- Cabinet Secretary - Beth Roberts
- Cabinet Treasurer - Sherry Strauss

2008 Team Ministry Evaluation and Budget Process

Letter 9/17/07 to Team Ministry Managers & Coaches
Team Ministry 2008 Forecast Form - Due October 7, 2007
Team Ministry Leadership Covenant - Due October 7, 2007
Budget 2008 Form for 2008 and Guidelines for Budget Form explaining Budget Process - Due October 17, 2007
Link to Tax Exempt ST-105 form for purchasing without tax. Call the church office and we'll provide the details to fill out the form correctly. (You'll need the church's tax exempt number - if you have it you can fill out the form, and you can sign the form. We don't want to give the whole world the number!)
Approved Budget for 2008 - voted on budget Sunday, December 23, 2007 after combined worship service.
Team Ministry Listing with Descriptions as of January 11, 2008

Exploring My Gifts and Passions Guide

A guide for serving God in the Team Ministry of Cicero Christian Church

Serving God: This is What Life is All About

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10

Well, at least serving God is one of the things life is all about. According to the Bible the very reason we were created was to glorify God by knowing Him, enjoying Him and serving Him (1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 10:36, Psalm 73:25–28, Ephesians 2:10). According to the book of Ecclesiastes we were not created to “chase the wind” but to join God in His mission to redeem broken people and a broken world.

Throughout the Bible, God calls us to love Him with all of our being and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Instead of being religious we are to truly love God and serve Him by caring as deeply for others as we do ourselves. We do this as we learn to know Him intimately, and care passionately for the poor, the powerless and the oppressed (Isaiah 58:6-8, James 1:27). We understand that this mission means to follow the example of Jesus as we “pick up our cross daily and follow Him.” And finally we understand that this doesn’t just mean friends and neighbors but this call to mission includes the entire world (Matthew 28:18-20).

In Acts 13:36 it says, “and David served the purposes of God in his generation.” The question each of us must ask ourselves is: “Do I want to just sit by and watch as others are used by God to change the world? Or, do I want to get an incredible sense of satisfaction and joy as I join God in building His Kingdom?” What will you do?

What Do I Have to Offer?

However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. — 1 Corinthians 7:7b

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. — 1 Peter 4:10

Many people feel that they don’t have anything to offer God, but this is simply not true. Everyone has God given gifts and talents they were born with. Everyone has a passion: something that inspires them. All of us have some level of education, and skills developed throughout our life. All of us have had experiences in our lives that have matured us, pain that has deepened us and the love of God that is “poured out within our hearts” (Romans 5:5). Later in this booklet you will have an opportunity to explore how God has prepared you for a ministry that can make an important difference in the lives of others.

What Will I Get Out of Serving?

The message all around us is: It’s all about you. Be happy. Indulge yourself. Fulfill your dreams. This kind of thinking leads us to think, “How can serving help me?” However, if we are honest, deep within ourselves we know that serving only ourselves doesn’t make us happy, it doesn’t fulfill us; in fact it leaves us feeling empty. Someone once said, “True fulfillment will never come through self-gratification. It will never lead to the fullness of life you are looking for. And along the way, you will destroy other people.”

True Christianity turns the ways of this world upside down. Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). In Mark 8:34-35 Jesus said,

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”

In this passage and in others, such as Mark 10:29-30 and John 13:12-17, Jesus clearly tells us that if we want to be blessed we must chose to become servants. Philippians 2:3-8 tells us Jesus gives us the perfect example through His own life and challenges each of us to decide: Will I live a self-centered life or will I follow the example of Jesus?

Why not try an experiment to see if this is true? For the two weeks follow the example of Jesus and take every opportunity presented to you and serve others, no matter how small the service. Then for another two weeks do all you can to not serve and try to get others to serve you. At the end of a month which experiment do you think will give you a sense of fulfillment?

Steve Sjogren said, “We love, serve, and care for others because that is normal behavior for people who are filled with God’s Spirit. We are Christians. Christ was the ultimate servant. We can’t help but serve because the Sprit of the Servant has filled our hearts. When we serve, we are just being who we naturally are.”

Just Do It!

Now that you have a better understanding of why you should serve, the next obvious question is, “Where should I serve?” As you explore where and how you are to serve ask yourself; what am I good at and what energizes me? To help you with this we have provided a Ministry Search Guide beginning on page four. Our suggestion is that you complete this guide and then contact Pastor Tim, Team Ministry Coordinator Beth Roberts, or the Team Manager over the area you are interested in serving in and share the results of your Ministry Search Guide. They will help you get connected and begin serving (or perhaps even launch a new area of team ministry!) I guess what we’re saying is Just Do It!

What If It Doesn’t Work Out?

When it comes to serving we want each person to serve where they have a passion and are energized by their service. We suggest that you experiment: come once and serve and if it doesn’t work out than try something else. As you experiment, God will lead you to just the right place for you to serve.

After you have served, a Team Manager will get with you and ask you four questions:

Did the work feel meaningful?
Was your emotional energy higher or lower after you served? Did you feel energized or drained?
Did you enjoy serving with the other volunteers and staff?
Does serving in this area fit with your available time to serve and does it take away needed time for family?

Ministry Search Guide

Discovering Your Passion for Ministry

One of the first questions to ask yourself when praying about where to serve is: “What area of ministry do I have a passion for?” When we look at people who make a difference one word we can usually use to describe them is that they have passion. Mother Teresa had a passion for the poor, or Billy Graham has a passion for the unsaved. These people do well were they serve partially because they have a passion for what they do; they love their work. In the Bible we find great passion in Jesus (John 14:1) and John the Baptist (John 3:22-20). If we are going to serve God well it’s so important to serve where we have a passion, where we find joy in our work.

What has God burned in your heart to do for His mission on earth? Take a moment to consider what that may be. Prayerfully write your responses to the following statements. Complete them with honest, heartfelt statements.

The one thing I do for God that makes my heart beat fast is...
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

If I could do one thing for God, it would be to …
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Now, take your answers and write them as your response to question 1 in the the ministry for which God has prepared me section and then complete the Skills Inventory.

Skills Inventory

A vocation is what we feel called to do with our life. Moses was a shepherd, Peter was a fisherman, and Paul was a tent maker. As we work in our vocation God calls us to, “…work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). The work we do is very important and requires certain skills that are developed through training and experience.

It’s also very important to realize that as children of God we are called by Him to fulfill His purposes. Jesus tells us that purpose when He says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). And in Luke 19:10 where He says, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”

God wants us to use the skills and talents we have to provide for ourselves and our families, and to fulfill His purposes. For example Moses used his skills as a shepherd to lead God’s people, and Peter’s skills as a fisherman to make him a fisher of men.

Use the following table to list the skills you use in your job and hobbies.

	Name of Skill	How I Use it in My Vocation or Hobby
1
2
3
4

Think about how you can use your unique skills to help God fulfill His purposes and glorify Him. For example, if you are a carpenter you can use your skills to build shelves at the church or help build a Habitat for Humanity home. If you are a teacher, you can use your skills to teach a class or small group. Be creative as you pray about and fill in the following table.

	Name of Skill	How God uses this Skill for His Mission
1
2
3
4

Now, take these answers and write them as your answers to question 2 in the the ministry for which God has prepared me section and then complete the Relational Survey.

Relational Survey

The relational survey asks you to look at how you relate to other people. Below are four types of relational styles. Each of us has characteristics in more than one of these styles, but one is probably most like you. Take a look at all four of these styles and as honestly as possible ask yourself which one is most like you and circle it. It might be fun to ask your spouse or a good friend to choose the style they think is most like you. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer, no one style is better than another.

Dominant Style – Works toward achieving goals and results; functions best in active, challenging environments.

Influencing Style – Works toward relating to people through verbal persuasion; functions well in friendly, favorable environments.

Steadiness Style – Works toward supporting and cooperating with others; functions best in supportive, harmonious environments.

Conscientious Style – Works toward doing things right and focuses on details; functions best in structured, orderly environments.

After deciding which relational style best describes you, answer the following:

Because of my special, God-given style of relating to others, I tend to work toward...
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

And function best in...
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

I also see these additional qualities of my God-given personality:
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

The question you need to answer from the relational survey is: How can my relational style be used by God to make a difference in my church?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Please take this answer and write it as your answer to question 3 in the the ministry for which God has prepared me section and then complete Experience Inventory.

Experience Inventory

Another area God uses in our lives for ministry are the experiences we have in life. Everything that happens to us is either allowed or ordained by God. God can use the experiences of our life to mold us into His image and shape us for ministry. If we take a look at Paul’s life we see a dramatic example of God using someone’s experiences for His glory. Paul grew up as a Jew and a Roman citizen, he was highly educated in Jewish laws and life, and before his conversion he was passionately active in trying to destroy the Church. After his conversion God used all of Paul’s experiences and passion to build the Church and advance His purposes.

It is important to realize that God can use all the experiences of your lives to shape you in a wonderful way to serve Him. In Romans 8:28 we are told, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God will use anyone who surrenders their life, including their experiences, in a wonderful way for His purposes. This includes you!

God has been active throughout your life to prepare you for service to Him. Take a few minutes now to answer the following questions.

Family experiences: What did you learn growing up in your family?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Educational experiences: What were your favorite subjects in school?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Vocational experiences: What jobs have you been most effective in and enjoyed most?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Spiritual experiences: What have been your most meaningful times
with God?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Ministry experiences: How have you served God in the past?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Painful experiences: What problems, hurts, thorns, and trials have you learned from?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

As you review the events of your life it is important to realize that every event of our life is raw material that God can use to accomplish His plan. There may be times when you feel you are the unluckiest person in the world; however, God is at work to mold you for service so that you can inherit your eternal reward with Jesus Christ in heaven.

As you have reviewed the experiences of your life and seen God at work how do you feel that He has shaped, and is shaping, you through those experiences for service to Him?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Please take your answer and write it as the answer to question 4 in the the ministry for which God has prepared me section.

Spiritual Gifts Assessment

Some people like to take a spiritual gifts assessment to help discover how God has gifted them for ministry. If you would like to take a test click here.

The spiritual gifts assessment indicated I have the following spiritual gifts:
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

The ministry for which God has prepared me

Believing God has prepared me for service in His Kingdom, I am discovering that He has equipped me for ministry in the following way:

1. God has burned in my heart the passion to serve in this area of ministry (see Discovering Your Passion for Ministry):
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

2. God has given me the opportunities to develop these skills that can be used in His service (see Skills Inventory):
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

3. God has created me to relate most often to others naturally in this way (see Relational Survey):
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

4. God has allowed these experiences to guide me for His purposes (see Experience Inventory):
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

5. Look through the ministries listed in the blue Team Ministry listing (or visit the full listing by clicking here).

Which ministries do you think best fit how God has prepared you for ministry? Write those on the lines below.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Managers and Coaches Guide for Team Ministry

As Managers and Coaches in the Team Ministry of Cicero Christian Church one of our goals is to recruit and train our volunteers and minister to them. These volunteers are God’s gift to us to help grow His Kingdom in this area therefore it’s important to have our volunteers serving where they have a passion and can use their gifts and talents to glorify Him. As our volunteers serve it’s vital that they know they are appreciated, they have the training they need and the resources necessary to carry out their mission. As leaders it’s also important that we hold our volunteers accountable to maintaining strong spiritual lives, and that they properly care for themselves and their families.

To help with this we have developed the Team Ministry Quick Start Guide and the Exploring My Gifts and Passions Guide. These guides are designed to help our volunteers understand the importance of serving and where and how to serve.

Along with those guides we have this guide to help you recruit, equip and encourage our volunteers as they serve Christ at our church. Please keep this guide with you as a reminder of your responsibility to those in your ministry area. It has two parts: the first to help equip you as you help your volunteers and the second to help you keep track of your progress in fulfilling your responsibility to your volunteers.

Recruiting and Training Our Volunteers

In recruiting and training our volunteers please keep the following priorities in mind:
Be in prayer as you seek to find volunteers for an area of ministry. It’s important that we allow God to bring the right volunteer to us at the right time. As we pray the Holy Spirit will guide us to the right person.

When you believe that you have the right volunteer for a position start by using the Team Ministry Quick Start Guide as a guide to help you explain Team Ministry and help them understand why and where they should serve.
After using the Team Ministry Quick Start Guide ask the volunteer to read and complete the Exploring My Gifts and Passions Guide. This will help them take a close look at how God has equipped them for ministry and where they might want to serve.
When the Exploring My Gifts and Passions Guide is completed take as much time as needed to go over it with them and discuss where they might want to serve.
Once it is decided where they want to serve help them connect with the coach of that ministry and begin serving on an exploratory basis. Let them know that after they have served a couple of times you will get with them and discuss their experience. Be sure to let them know that if this area of ministry doesn’t fit them you will help them explore another area of ministry.
It’s very important to help our volunteers serve where they are gifted and passionate. To help with this during your discussion be sure to ask the following:
- Did the work feel meaningful?
- Was your emotional energy higher or lower after you served? Did you feel energized or drained?
- Did you enjoy serving with the team? Is there a comfortable relational interaction on the team?
- As you look honestly at your schedule and your families needs do you have time to serve in this area?
- Do you want to continue serving in this area, serve in this area but in a different capacity, or do you want to try to serve somewhere else?
After going through the above steps the volunteer will continue serving, try serving in some other area, or decide to wait a while. Whatever the decision keep in mind that the person is far more important than the ministry they do. Continue to let them know they are loved, appreciated and needed at our church. At the end of the interview pray for them as they serve or look for other areas to serve.

As our volunteers serve it’s important that we continuously pray for them, encourage them and train them and look for creative ways to simply let them know they are appreciated.

Ongoing Care for Your Volunteers

As you recruit and work with your volunteers it’s important to continuously ask yourself:

Are we caring for our volunteers properly?
Are we providing the right training?
Is there a better way we could recruit?
What are the faithful volunteers in our church actually experiencing?
Are they growing spiritually?
Do they feel like an integral part of the team?
Are they energized by the overall vision of our church?

Use the table which follows to help keep track of your volunteers as you help recruit, train and encourage them.

Recruit Name	Date Quick Start Guide Used	Date Exploring My Gifts and Passions Guide Used	Date Interview Completed after Serving	Found Team on which to Serve (list team)	Showed Appreciation by:(be sure to show appreciation often)

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