How do you talk about your team?

Recently, I read a book entitled Paul and his Team: What the Early Church can Teach us about Leadership and Influence. It’s a great read. I definitely encourage you to check it out.

In one chapter the author, Ryan Lokkesmoe, discusses the language the apostle Paul used to describe those working around him. Here’s what he writes:

“When Paul described people like Luke, Epaphras, and Tychicus he often used words with the Greek prefix syn-, which we often translate as “fellow.” The syn- prefix conveyed the idea of doing something with someone else. It was a marker of equality.

For example, Paul calls Luke and others his synergos, which we translate as “fellow worker.” That’s where our English word synergy comes from. It means to work together. Epaphras and Tychicus are described by Paul with the word syndoulos, or “fellow servant.” Paul viewed them as his partners in ministry, and his language clearly reflected that.”

Although I’ve read Paul’s words many times, I don’t know that I ever considered the way he spoke of his team. Does the language you use tell others that your team is important? Does it tell them that they are fellow ministers?

I think it’s important that we change our pronouns from “me” to “we.” As leaders we need to realize that we’re in ministry together. Our teams are teams of ministers. They aren’t just background for our personal ministries or careers.

Paul was indeed an incredible leader. One of the things that made him such a leader was the way he valued his team. And the language he used showed that.