The Difference Between a Team and a Committee
As a leader, you likely serve on a number of different groups of people. And if you are anything like me you likely notice the different nuances of each group, and some days you are super excited about meeting up with that group, while other meetings are less exciting.
Okay, we can be honest here - sometimes it’s awful. You know you don’t want to go to that meeting, and you’d rather stab yourself in the eye with a pencil.
So what’s the difference?
A committee is task-oriented and a team is people-oriented.
Committees of people exist to serve the task at hand. The dialogue centers around it, and for the most part, it is the only reason the group gathers. It is less about building relationships and more about accomplishing the primary objective of the committee. Think like the “Borg” in Star Trek - one goal, one mission, one primary objective. Committees can be super effective.
Teams on the other hand have the nuanced approach of wanting people to work together. It is relational in nature, and if the primary objective is to be a team, then that should be a simultaneous objective to the task that the team was formed to accomplish.
Said another way - the relationships matter.
And here is my challenge to you, the Spirit-led, Christian leader:
Stop creating committees. Create teams.
Real relationships matter to God. The very nature of God is relational, and when we think about disciple-making, evangelism, and being united in the Spirit - it’s all dependent on the relationship.
Gather with people and work to build a team even if they don’t know that’s what you are doing. Take the time to ask the question, “How is it with your soul?” “How is your heart?”
Sure, it may not be as productive, but it does build the Kingdom of God.
Strive for teams, and see what God does!