5 Primary Struggles in Missionary Teams (and How To Solve Them)
Missionary teams go through hard seasons. Disagreements, leadership crises, or a high turnover of staff can leave everyone feeling insecure. Or, you might experience a major traumatic event that shakes everyone’s foundations. Another difficulty can be when there is a lack of focus or momentum. No matter how wonderful your team is, you will eventually face some struggles.
I have experienced all the above situations in teams I’ve been part of. I’ve also come through them, still loving God, and my fellow missionaries.
Why do these difficulties happen? How can we overcome and even grow through these seasons ? How can we avoid becoming part of the statistic that leaves the mission field because it is too tough?
5 Causes of Struggle in Missionary Teams
Let’s look at some answers to the questions above.
1) Sin
We are all susceptible to making sinful choices. Perhaps someone on your team does something and you get offended. Choosing to hang on to perceived or real offense is also a sinful response.
Each of us (as leaders or followers, older or younger, new or experienced) continue in the growth process of becoming more like Jesus.
Our selfish or foolish choices often hurt others. The solution is to recognize your own part, not the other person’s problems. Repent, forgive, and ask the Lord for his “love that covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet 4:8). Choose practical ways to show love and kindness to that person who has offended you. This helps our hearts to turn toward reconciliation with others.
2) Testing
Another cause of struggle is a season of testing. This could be caused by demonic resistance to our mission. We are told to not give the devil a foothold by our choices (Eph 4:27).
Guard your own thought life carefully, “for as a man thinking in his heart so he is.” (Prov. 23:7).
Even Jesus’ team was split in this manner! Satan inspired Judas to betray Jesus, and he gave in to that temptation.
When we notice testing going on, we should strive to be like Jesus. Look to God to vindicate and be like a sheep that doesn’t shout, bite, or attack in return. We overcome this not by fighting the others on our team but by choosing unity. In prayer, resist the devil so he will flee.
3) Departures
Pain comes in normal life circumstances. Departures from the team can cause hurt. Team members leave because of sickness, mental stress, or a change in their life and sense of call.
The loss of team members is stressful.
Remind yourself of how God called you, and the reasons why you do what you do. Trust God that even if your closest friends on the team move on, it is not rejection. It is an opportunity to grow more dependent on Jesus who never changes.
4) Trauma
Traumatic events can demolish a team. Evacuation, a physical attack on a team member, or an investigation by the government for your activities are examples of traumatic events.
If these things happen, have a team debriefing session. This can either be facilitated by the leader or an outside coach depending on the severity of the incident.
If we do not process trauma well we end up with “wounded soldiers.” When everyone on the team is in pain, our focus becomes inward. A survival mentality grips us and the team’s efforts come to a full stop. This is appropriate for a time, but you don’t want to get stuck there.
5) Leadership pain
Lastly, there is great pain when division between team leaders and followers occurs.
It often starts with small things that build into major mistrust issues.
Realize that both leaders and followers are imperfect. Adjust expectations to avoid disappointment. Then, do your best to invest in open, clear communication, and active listening to bridge gaps.
Social Time Helps Teams Stay Healthy
Teams, like families, also need quality time together not only working but being friends. Talking together and shared experiences- like going on a retreat, camping, having regular meals and games, can make a big difference. How long has it been since you planned a fun time for your team?
Simple Church Together
Another great team-building thing can be to practice simple church. Do a Discovery Bible Study together so you hear and connect with each other. Share communion so you stay in fellowship and sweet relationship- confessing sins to one another regularly.
As a team we are an expression of the body of Christ. Just like Jesus’ physical body was battered and then rose again by the power of the spirit, let’s ask God to knit us together to be a witness for Him. Jesus said, ”By this will all men know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
Let’s love each other with Jesus’ love and be a witness of what it means to be disciples of Jesus.
Which of these five areas do you and your team most need to consider?
Let us know in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook group.
*This guest post was written by R.M.