Church is a Team Sport

Book Review

Putman, Jim. Church Is A Team Sport. A champion strategy for doing ministry together. Baker Books. 2008.

Comment. Henry
Jim is the lead pastor of Real Life Ministries church in Post Falls Idaho, a church of some 8000 attendees. The focus of the leadership of the church is evangelism and discipleship. The discipleship happens primarily in their small group dynamic. In a relatively short time of only eight years this church has grown from its beginning to an attendance of 8000. The analogy of coaching and winning is used to explain the strategy of the rapid growth. The pastor is the head ‘coach’ of a team of coaches.

A key component new to doing church is suggested as one of the main reasons for Real Life’s rapid growth. “We developed a way to track our people’s attendance in services and small groups.” (37) Jim’s style of leadership (coaching) was developed from his personal experience as an athlete and an athletic coach.

It is possible for the church to do and accomplish what it was originally formed to do and leadership is crucial in making it happen. At Real Life the focus is on relationships rather than on entertainment and/or show. A good coach (leader) is a good shepherd who cares for his sheep. Church needs to be built on a shepherding culture.

Doing ‘Team’ is about developing coaches and players. They are developed within the church. There is a strong discipleship program that functions in the small group environment. The four stages of this program are “share, connect, minister, and disciple”. (144) People are moved into leadership (coaching) roles quickly.

Unity in leadership is paramount. “Church is a team sport.” (177) This is a difficult but doable goal. Fundamentals must be carefully identified and well understood. Leadership evaluation must be thorough and regular. Team assessment is part of evaluation.