The Lord Is My Banner: How to Build and Maintain Ministry Teams That Last

If you’ve been in ministry for more than about ten days, you already know: you can’t do this alone. The weight is too heavy. The needs are too many. The mission is too great.

But that’s not a flaw in the system — it’s actually part of God’s design.

In Exodus 17, God gives us a vivid picture of what leadership with a team looks like. Israel is attacked by the Amalekites, and Moses sends Joshua to lead the charge in battle. But victory doesn’t come by strategy alone — it comes through a team of leaders working together under the authority and direction of God.

While Joshua fights, Moses ascends the hill with the staff of God in his hand. As long as his hands are raised, Israel prevails. But when his arms grow tired, things go south. That’s when Aaron and Hur step in — each one taking a side to hold up Moses’ arms until sunset. And Israel wins.

But what happens next is just as important.

“And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord is my banner, saying, ‘A hand upon the throne of the Lord!’”

(Exodus 17:15–16)

“The Lord is my banner.” In other words, this victory wasn’t about our strength. It wasn’t about great planning or strong leadership. This was God’s work, and we were simply faithful in our roles.

That’s what we want for our churches and ministry teams: not self-made wins, but Spirit-led victories that point clearly to Jesus. That means we need teams that are built with the proper foundation and sustained with healthy rhythms.

Here are five essential principles for building and maintaining ministry teams — drawn from this powerful moment in Israel’s story. These don’t have to be followed in a particular order, but pay attention to the fifth one: communication is the glue that holds everything else together.

1. Shared Vision: Knowing Why We’re on the Hill

In Exodus 17, everyone had a role, but they also shared a common vision. Moses, Aaron, Hur, and Joshua weren’t doing the same things, but they were working toward the same outcome: God’s people rescued, and God’s name lifted high.

That kind of alignment doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of clarity, prayer, and regular reminders. Without it, ministry teams drift into silos. People often focus on their own corner of the work without considering how it fits into the larger picture.

Shared vision isn’t just about having a mission statement. It’s about ensuring the team understands what we’re building, why it matters, and how each person contributes.

2. Vested Interests: Everybody Has Skin in the Game

The battle couldn’t be won without Moses. But Moses couldn’t do it without Aaron and Hur. And the fight in the valley would’ve been a disaster without Joshua and his chosen men.

In a healthy ministry team, everyone is all in. They’re not just watching. They’re engaged. They know the mission matters, and they bring their whole selves to it.

That’s what it means to have a vested interest — not just a title or a role, but a deep sense of ownership. The ministry is ours, not just the pastor’s. When that happens, burnout decreases and momentum increases.

3. Trusted Leadership: Following Without Fear

Aaron and Hur didn’t argue with Moses on the hill. Joshua didn’t second-guess Moses’ instructions. Why? Because they knew and trusted his leadership. Moses had proven faithful. His walk with God gave others confidence to follow.

Trusted leadership isn’t about charisma or command. It’s about consistency, humility, and character. When people believe their leaders are truly seeking God, genuinely loving others, and staying accountable, they’ll follow with trust instead of suspicion.

In today’s world, where trust in leaders is often fragile, this kind of leadership is more essential than ever.

4. Common Goals: Knowing What Winning Looks Like

It wasn’t complicated that day in the wilderness. If Moses’ hands are up, we win. If they drop, we lose.

We may not have such a simple indicator in church life, but the principle still holds: teams work best when they know what they’re aiming for. Too often, ministry gets busy without getting clear. We preach, plan, organize, and respond — but we’re not always sure what the actual goals are.

Common goals help teams focus. They keep us from drifting. And they give us something to celebrate when we see God at work.

5. Communication: The Glue That Holds Everything Together

Now imagine if Aaron and Hur were distracted that day — if they didn’t notice Moses’ fatigue, or weren’t sure what to do when he faltered. The whole battle could’ve turned.

Instead, they were present, responsive, and clear. They communicated, and that made all the difference.

You can have a powerful vision, strong investment, good leadership, and great goals — but if your team isn’t communicating, it will all unravel.

Communication is the glue that holds a team together. It builds trust, creates alignment, and provides space to adjust and grow. Don’t treat it as optional. Make it a core value of your team.

So What Do We Do With This?

The story of Exodus 17 isn’t just about teamwork. It’s about who gets the glory. When the dust settles, Moses doesn’t pat himself on the back. He builds an altar and declares: “The Lord is my banner.”

That’s our goal too. We want our churches and ministries to be the kind of places where God’s presence is unmistakable and God’s people are mobilized — not for our name, but for His.

If that’s your heart, here are some practical action steps to take this week:

Action Steps for Building and Maintaining Ministry Teams

1. Clarify your shared vision.

Write it down. Say it often. Ask your team, “What are we really trying to accomplish this year?” See if the answers align.

2. Check for buy-in.

Ask team members individually: “Where do you feel most invested right now?” and “What would help you feel more ownership?”

3. Build trust in your leadership.

Invite honest feedback. Ask a few trusted voices: “What’s it like to be led by me? What could I do differently?”

 4. Set short-term, common goals.

Pick one or two things your team can rally around over the next 90 days. Make sure they’re clear and achievable.

5. Evaluate your communication rhythm.

How often do you meet? Do those meetings feel purposeful? Could a new rhythm (weekly huddles, monthly syncs) help your team stay aligned?

 6. Name your support system.

Who’s holding up your arms right now? Who is praying for you, encouraging you, and supporting your leadership? If no one comes to mind, it’s time to build that support. (The Crossroads Fellowship can be a great source of 

6. Pray for your team by name.

There’s no substitute for this. Bring them before the Lord. Ask Him to unify, strengthen, and use them for His glory.

As you lead your church or ministry forward, may your team be grounded in these biblical principles and guided by one rallying cry:

“The Lord is my banner.”

Not our brilliance. Not our effort. Not our plans.

His presence. His power. His glory.

Let’s build teams that last — and point to the One who never fails.

Faithful. Joyful. Fruitful. Why All Three Matter in Ministry

Faithful. Joyful. Fruitful.
Three Marks of a God-Honoring Pastorate

By Jon Beight | Shepherd’s Spark Blog

Our chairman, Steve Whicker, often says that when it comes to pastoral ministry, “I want to be faithful, joyful, and fruitful.” And if you know Steve, that’s not just a nice phrase—it’s a heartfelt conviction forged through years of ministry, trials, and gospel work.

He’s right. The mark of an effective, God-honoring pastorate is not just one of these qualities, but all three—faithfulness, joyfulness, and fruitfulness. They’re not competing goals; they’re complementary graces that describe what it means to be a healthy shepherd in a local church.

So let’s dive into each of these. What does Scripture say about being faithful, joyful, and fruitful? And why might faithfulness—by itself—be insufficient for long-term effectiveness in pastoral ministry?

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Faithful: The Foundation of Shepherding

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:2:

“It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

This is where we must start. Faithfulness is foundational. It’s showing up, sticking to the Word, standing firm in doctrine, loving the sheep, and persevering through the storms and the sunshine of ministry. It’s the kind of shepherd who stays in and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2), even when recognition is low and return is slow.

But faithfulness is not the finish line—it’s the starting line. A pastor who is faithful but lacks joy may become mechanical. A faithful pastor with no visible fruit may begin to settle for survival instead of mission.

The danger is that we define “faithful” too narrowly—as simply not quitting. But faithfulness is about how we stay, why we serve, and who we’re ultimately serving.

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Joyful: The Overflow of Gospel Ministry

Joy is not a luxury in pastoral ministry—it’s a necessity. Paul describes the Christian life in Galatians 5:22 with this familiar list:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…”

Joy is evidence that the Spirit is alive in you—and a ministry lacking joy is a ministry gasping for breath. Even in suffering, Paul could say he was “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). His joy wasn’t based on success, but on Jesus.

David Mathis, in Workers for Your Joy, reminds us:

“The pastor’s own joy in Jesus is not only essential to his endurance—it’s essential to his people’s flourishing.”

If our joy is gone, ministry becomes burdensome. Cynicism creeps in. We begin to pastor out of obligation, not affection. But when our joy in Jesus is alive, we’re refreshed and refresh others.

A joyful pastor gives permission for joy in the body. He leads not just with his voice but also with his countenance. He lifts up not just the name of Jesus but also the eyes of the discouraged.

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Fruitful: The Evidence of Spirit-Empowered Labor

In John 15:8, Jesus said:

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

Fruitfulness is not a megachurch metric or social media reach. It’s changed lives. It’s disciples made. It’s people becoming more like Jesus because of the Spirit working through your ministry.

Fruit may look like:

• A marriage restored
• A wayward teen returning
• A new believer taking their first steps
• A culture of generosity and outreach is forming in the church
• Leaders developed and sent out

Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree with leaves but no fruit (Mark 11:13–14). It looked healthy from a distance—but up close, it was barren. Activity is not the same as vitality.

Pastors, if our ministries look alive but aren’t producing spiritual fruit, it’s time to prayerfully ask why. Are we depending on the Spirit? Are we proclaiming the Gospel clearly? Are we equipping the saints for the ministry's work?

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Why All Three Matter—And Why Faithfulness Alone Is Not Enough

Let me be clear: faithfulness is non-negotiable. But faithfulness without joy can become cold. And faithfulness without fruit can become complacent.

We’re not just called to “stay in ministry” but to thrive in ministry, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joy and fruit are not accessories to faithfulness—they are often its proof.

Paul didn’t just say, “I stuck around.” He said:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

His faithfulness led to something. It accomplished something. And it was done with joy, even in chains.

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What Faithfulness Really Is

Faithfulness is not just sticking it out in one ministry location for as long as you can endure. True faithfulness includes two key things:

1. Not failing in ministry means walking in integrity and finishing well.
2. Not acting like a hireling, the kind of shepherd Jesus warned us about in John 10.

John 10:12–13 says:

“He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd… sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees… He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”

A hireling isn’t just someone who leaves; he doesn’t care. He stays or goes based on comfort, not calling. A faithful shepherd can transition ministries—but not because it’s hard. He moves only when God leads and does it with concern for the sheep, not self-preservation.

It’s okay to leave a ministry. Seasons change, and callings can shift. But we should always leave in a God-honoring way, with love, clarity, and humility.

When fruitfulness and/or joy begin to fade, that may be a sign it’s time to discern a new assignment. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to quit ministry.

I’ll never forget the shock when Peyton Manning was released by the Indianapolis Colts. Everyone thought he was done—until he showed up in Denver, where he would eventually win another Super Bowl. The move gave him renewed drive and purpose. He wasn’t finished—just finished in Indy.

Brothers, the same may be true of us.

If your current assignment is losing clarity, but your calling is still strong, maybe God has new work ahead. Be faithful—but also be open. Because sometimes, the most faithful thing you can do is move—not out of frustration, but out of obedience.

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So What Kind of Shepherd Will You Be?

Let’s strive to be:

• Faithful in doctrine and character
• Joyful in Christ and in our people
• Fruitful in Gospel ministry and kingdom advance

The church doesn’t just need shepherds who stick around. It needs shepherds who love Jesus, love their flock, and walk in the Spirit.

Let’s be all three—for God’s glory, our good, and the health of the churches we serve.

Preaching to Younger Generations Without Losing the Gospel Thread

I recently preached on Psalm 34, and something exciting happened.

As I opened the passage—“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth”—I saw something shift in the room. The 20-somethings in the congregation, who at first sat with a posture that said “another talking head,” began to lean in.

They weren’t just nodding politely. They were dialed in.

One young man to my right looked like he was about to fall out of his chair—not from boredom, but because something in the Word had gripped him. His eyes locked in. His body tilted forward. His entire posture said: “This matters.”

It wasn’t because the sermon was flashy. It was because Psalm 34 is full of raw emotion, real hope, and the kind of gritty praise that’s born out of suffering, and the Spirit was working through the text.

That moment reminded me: this generation is hungry for truth, but it must be delivered with clarity, conviction, and compassion.

So, how do we preach to a generation that’s grown up in a digital, skeptical, and deeply searching world? How do we avoid gimmicks, stay rooted in Scripture, and still speak in a way that engages hearts?

Let’s explore seven ways faithful preaching can speak powerfully to younger generations, without losing the Gospel thread.

1. Let Your Tone Be Bold and Kind

Preaching to younger generations doesn’t require being edgy—it requires being real. They don’t want to be talked down to. They want the truth shared with humility.

Matt Chandler once said, “We’re not trying to be offensive. We’re trying to be faithful. The cross is offensive enough.” Be clear, but also be pastoral. Grace and truth walk hand in hand.

2. Preach Clear, Focused Sermons

They’re listening—but only if you give them something worth listening to. Keep your sermons purposeful, well-structured, and grounded in one main idea from the text.

As H.B. Charles Jr. reminds us in On Preaching:

“Don’t waste people’s time. Every moment you spend in the pulpit should be worth their attention.”

Preaching isn’t a performance, but it must respect people’s focus and steward their hearts.

3. Show Them Why It Matters

Today’s hearers don’t just ask, “Is it true?” They ask, “Does it matter?”

Warren Wiersbe wisely said, “Truth without application is like a medicine that stays on the shelf.” When you preach, connect doctrine to life. Show how the ancient words of Scripture speak to breakups, burnout, fear, ambition, and real questions people are carrying. This should evoke a certain level of passion in the sermon; this passage matters to you, the listener, right now. 

4. Tell Stories That Serve the Text

Stories can open hearts, but they shouldn’t overshadow the message. Think of Jesus—His parables weren’t illustrations, they were the message. Every story must serve the truth you’re preaching.

Alistair Begg put it well: “We are not storytellers—we are truth-tellers who use stories wisely.” And when your story leads people to the Gospel, it’s time well spent.

5. Use Culture Carefully

You don’t have to quote Taylor Swift or mention TikTok trends to make a connection. When you do reference culture, let it illuminate the text, not replace it.

Tim Keller wrote in Preaching: “You must exegete your culture as carefully as you exegete the text.” Know your people. Speak to their world. But keep Scripture as the spotlight.

6. Preach the Bible as the Bible Deserves

Expository preaching still works. In fact, it might be more important now than ever. It teaches people to view Scripture as reliable, powerful, and worthy of their trust.

Steve DeWitt recently reminded his church, “God’s Word is the most relevant thing we can preach because it’s the only thing that doesn’t change.”

Preach it faithfully—and let God’s voice be louder than your own.

7. Bring Jesus Into Every Message

Whether you’re preaching from Judges, Jonah, or James, quote Jesus. That’s not a gimmick; it’s the Great Commission. Jesus said to teach “everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).

Charles Spurgeon’s challenge still echoes: “No Christ in your sermon, sir? Then go home, and never preach again until you have something worth preaching.”

There is nothing more relevant, nothing more beautiful, and nothing more necessary than Christ crucified and risen, for every generation.

A Word of Grace

Pastor, preaching today is not easy. You may feel pressure to be more polished, more trendy, or more impressive. But your calling isn’t to impress—it’s to be faithful.

You’re not alone. The Spirit is your helper. The Word is your anchor. And you have fellow laborers who are walking the same road.

Join a Crossroads Preaching Cohort

This fall, Crossroads Fellowship is launching Preaching Cohorts for pastors who want to grow together in Christ-centered, Scripture-anchored, Spirit-led preaching.

In these groups, we’ll:

• Encourage one another in our calling
• Give and receive honest, grace-filled feedback
• Learn how to connect with today’s listeners without compromising the Gospel
• Pray together for revival in our pulpits and our churches

If you’re interested in joining a preaching cohort, email [your email] or visit [your website] to learn more. Let’s strengthen one another as we proclaim the unchanging Word to a changing world.

Recommended Reading

If you’re looking to grow in preaching, here are some recent resources from trusted evangelical voices:

1. Gospel-Driven Ministry – Jared C. Wilson (2024)
2. Preaching for a Verdict – J.D. Greear (2023)
3. The Word Became Fresh: How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts – Dale Ralph Davis (2020)
4. Faithful Preaching – Tony Merida (Updated ed. 2022)
5. Preaching to a Post-Everything World – Zack Eswine (Updated ed. 2021)
6. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series (General Editors: David Platt, Tony Merida, Danny Akin) – Ongoing volumes
7. The Christ-Centered Expositor – Tony Merida (Revised 2022)

Bonus: Take a Simeon Trust Workshop

One of the best investments you can make in your preaching is attending a Simeon Trust preaching workshop. These intensive, hands-on events help pastors sharpen their ability to rightly handle the Word of God, especially in expository preaching.

Learn more at: www.simeontrust.org

Let’s preach Jesus. Let’s preach the Word. Let’s grow together.