Delegate Work, Cascade Love

“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.” – John 12:44-45

A degree in management, a corporate background and masters in business develop a certain mindset for running an organization or a team. It is structured and disciplined. The head gives the directives which the subordinate is mandated to follow. There are of course different management styles – autocratic, democratic, paternalistic and a couple of other “-atics”. But the underlying idea is “You don’t like the way we run things, you may apply with the company in the next building.”

So it becomes quite a shock to the system when a corporate person gets into running the Lord’s business. You are no longer the boss, you are a servant leader. The people under you can’t be fired when they don’t do the job. They must be loved and nurtured into service.

For two years now, I’ve been serving as Ministry Head for the Feast Alabang and I’m fascinated with the art of managing fellow servants. A distant star in my canopy of dreams is to write a manual about this topic. I’m taking my first step by writing down this reflection:

In the May 18, 2011 Companion, the intro to the First Reading said: “We see in the ministry of Paul that he works closely with a very limited number of collaborators…his key collaborators or missioners are few…Perhaps simplicity is essential to the successful proclamation of the Gospel.” In management, the collaborators would be assistants or deputies. I’m reminded of my Feast Alabang Media Ministry (or what my members and I lovingly call our FAMMily) and the team heads I’ve appointed. The message for me here is to keep that simple structure and delegate to the team heads.

But since we are missioners sent by Jesus to spread His word, work is not the only thing we have to pass on. His love must also be seen in the way we deal with our fellow servants. As one of my favorite lines go, “our lives may be the only Bible other people will read.” Love then is essential in this type of management style. Bonds must also be strengthened among the members so that work in the Lord’s vineyard will be a joy to do. It’s such a simple principle but many times in the stresses of service, it has been forgotten.

Guideline #1 for my manual is Delegate Work, Cascade Love. I’m looking for more. Insights are welcome :)

Building a Team, Building a FAMMily

Scene 1:

Gaily colored blindfolds. My team got pink ones – my favorite. With hands on the shoulder of the person in front, they followed me. Hold on, three got left behind. I ran back to get them.

Nine other teams like us gingerly navigated the grounds of the Metrogate Silang club house like caterpillars. At each stop, we were timed for the activity:

Scrounge for objects to put under given letters. Stop that ant – it goes under letter A.

Fill a pail using water bottles peppered with holes. Get drenched in the process.

Crawl like snakes in the grass through a minefield – this while blindfolded and just listening for directions. (It’s bad enough that I’m like one of our former presidents who jokesters say had to wear a wristband to tell his left from his right. I also had to direct my team members in mirror image – right, ay your left pala.)

Step on only 4 soft drink crates – all 7 to 8 different-sized members at the same time – to get to the finish line. Whew, our team made it in one go with planning and coordination.

The last blindfolded activity in the afternoon elicited screams and laughter. We even broke out in song – “Abundance of Rain” – when we heard water splashing nearby (we are with the Music Ministry after all). The swaying bridge encouraged tighter grips and more noise. Being a team leader in the morning and groping blindfolded in the afternoon gave me a different perspective. A follower this time, my instinct was still to find a way to keep the group intact. “I felt a hand rail. Grab it!” I tipped my friends as the bridge began to swing. This, I realized, is what team heads really do – lead and also follow.

“Trust your leader,” we were told. That’s the essence of the whole activity. For as we removed our blindfolds, we found out it was our Feast Builder who led us safely over the bridge.

Scene 2:

FAMMily (Feast Alabang Media Ministry family) members made it to the meeting place on time. The threat that the last ones to arrive will foot the bill for lunch motivated everybody. Violet withdrew her 100-egg offering to St. Claire and so there was rain. Scrap the zip line in Picnic Grove. Mike I. didn’t feel like doing that while holding an umbrella. Instead, the umbrellas were used in Tierra de Maria for photos under the rain.

But we were still blessed. The rain stopped as we rummaged for “treasures” in the ukay-ukay. We got great photos in Sonya’s Garden (with shots of my dream house – thanks to Osy, Mike T. & Jeps) and Caleruega after our lunch in Mahogany Market.

Where to hold our meeting? We thought the dimly-lit dining area in Caleruega was a blessing but we were politely told this was for retreatants only. The real blessing was the roof top which we had almost to ourselves. There was a cabana with a table and chairs, a curtain of light blue flowers over the walkway, a refreshing breeze, outdoor lighting and a great view. And then there’s my personal blessing: a great ministry – team heads and members – who not only give their best but are so much fun to be with.

Anticipated mass was in the foggy courtyard of the Little Souls Convent. Hugs kept each other warm. Dinner was a prelude to a ministry caring group – shared dreams and shared joy for a member’s answered prayer.

These are scenes from dawn to dusk of my past two Saturdays: the first from the Feast Alabang Events Pillar team building, the second from the Media Ministry meeting in Tagaytay. Both were relationship bridges. Bonds tightened. Friendships nourished. A team and a family strengthened.