The SEND U Blog

Reflections and Resources for Lifelong Learning for Missionaries

Series: Types of mission teams

combo teams
Photo by Nareeta Martin on Unsplash

Combo Teams

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On March 8, 2021

In Teaming, Team Leadership

This entry is part 6 of 7 in the series Types of mission teams

A number of years ago in this blog, I wrote about three different types of teams that we find in our mission organization.1I am indebted to Liz Givens who first identified these three different types of teams in SEND. Basketball teams are made up of multiple team members, working together closely and interacting frequently with each other about their various ministries. Track teams have a common purpose and team members support one another, but each person on the team works independently. X-Teams (expedition teams) are small teams found where a single expatriate missionary (or missionary couple) and a national Christian worker (pastor, missionary, or a lay Christian) partner together closely in ministry.

A fourth type – combo teams

But after discussing these different types with our teams around the world, I began to realize that there was yet a fourth type that was becoming increasingly popular. We are calling it a combo team. This type of team is not a single team, but a collection of multiple X-teams. In this scenario, missionaries serve on two teams simultaneously.

The ministry team is an X-team

The missionary serves with a national worker or a few national workers. This serves as their ministry team. The X-team is committed to a common purpose and provides direction and companionship in church planting and ministry. Normally, in these combo teams, the missionary is not the team leader of the X-team but serves under the leadership of a national pastor.

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types of teams
Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

What type of mission team is best for you and your context?

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On July 10, 2023

In Teaming, New Missionaries

This entry is part 7 of 7 in the series Types of mission teams

In mission work, when engaging unreached people, working in teams is essential. One person cannot do it alone. However, not all mission teams are the same. Over the years, we have observed four main types of teams on the mission field: basketball teams, track teams, X-teams (expedition teams), and combo teams. Each type has its own unique characteristics and purposes. I have written about each of these in a series on types of mission teams, but I thought it might be helpful to summarize our thinking into one post.1 The SEND U wiki also provides a Word document summarizing these 4 different types of teams in point form.

Basketball Teams: Working Closely Together

A basketball team is a tightly-knit unit, where five players work closely together on the court to defend and score. Similarly, in mission work, a basketball team consists of team members who interact constantly with each other, sharing a common goal. They live near each other and target the same people or neighborhood. This type of team emphasizes collaboration and synergy, with each member playing a specific role in achieving the team’s objectives.

A biblical example of a basketball team is Jesus and his disciples. They worked and lived together, experiencing both the joys and hardships of proclaiming the good news. Like the disciples, missionaries on a basketball team rely on each other, hand off responsibilities, and watch each other’s backs. They sacrifice their individual autonomy for the greater good of the team.

To ensure success, basketball teams require a well-defined objective, a committed team leader, and regular communication. Team meetings, conflict resolution, and collaborative decision-making are essential for the smooth functioning of the team.

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