Deadly Alliances

The word alliance is defined as "the state of being allied; a formal agreement or treaty between two or more... to cooperate for specific purposes."  As we review the definition it should be obvious that an alliance may become constructive or destructive.  My own ministry is called Christian Alliance of Ministries.  Here the word "alliance" is intended to mean a networking of Christian ministry efforts for the common good.  Yet there is a time when alliances are wrong and can work against the common good and even result in opposing the will and work of God.  An example would be on a leadership team.  The Leadership Team in  a Church is not the same as one in the corporate world. In the natural or corporate world a leadership team is primarily comprised of leadership strengths based upon natural education, experience and knowledge.  The contribution of of these team members comes from their experience primarily.  In the Church world a leadership team should be made up of individuals who have experience and training just like in the corporate world but these team members must be motivated from a foundation of spiritual maturity.  

A spiritual leadership team is designed by God to be a diverse group who all bring a different perspective to the table.  The formation of this group is pivotal to the success of the group.  A team should not be chosen based on friendship or longevity alone but primarily by the leading of the Holy Spirit and their potential contribution to the group.  If there is a team assembled because "they all get along well", as good as that sounds, it is shallow and will leave the team and organization weak in time.  Of course we don't want divisive members either.  One leader said, "I don't want yes men but I don't want no men either."  A God directed leadership team of diversely gifted and humble people, who have no hidden agenda and come to the table in a neutral position wanting only to find the will of God, is the perfect team.  To maintain this Holy Spirit led environment requires a careful effort to avoid the formation of alliances around a leadership table.  I have mentioned this before but it is difficult to maintain.  It is so tempting when an issue arises around the table to invite another team member to lunch to discuss the issue.  The moment we discuss the issue outside of the group, we are running the risk of forming an alliance that will leave the diversity of the group tainted and ineffective.  In the business world it may be appropriate but not when the team member's primary goal is to remain neutral to discover within the group the will of God.  Seeing this point makes it clear that only a spiritually mature person who lives a life hidden in the Lordship of Jesus is qualified to serve on a leadership team.