See, there are worse things than getting unwanted team members – you could not get wanted ones.

no worries on the disappointment. we’re already here and ‘appointed’. if it was hard to tell from the post, i had my tongue firmly embedded in my cheek when i wrote about the strikes against me (after all, if you cannot laugh at yourself, look in the mirror again).

of course, i certainly hope i’m not a ‘bad’ person … but i know that i’m not perfect. it would be great to have a right fit for each and every position on the field. (if we ever cross paths, remind me to tell you about the position i was looking at … and am very glad i did not get.)

having been on both sides of the fence, now (so to speak), i share your view on trying to fill a post with only the applicants available. we rely on a person to be called to the field, then need to further rely on God having gifted them in the areas we need the most help with.

side note: i’m glad we did not bring the dog. the only doors that would have opened would have been the doors of the animal control van! :-b

Mr.T,
I’m really glad to hear that the Board allowed you to build your own team. I think that’s the way it should be, what with Paul’s biblical example and all. But I also know that this isn’t always so easily done, and that there are times when putting together a “dream team” is hindered by some less-than-dreamy considerations.

Anonymous,
Just because you aren’t who I’m looking for doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. I mean, you might be a bad person, but it isn’t because you’re over forty and you have kids. You may make a great missionary- one to rival the likes of Ms. Lottie herself. Sorry if my post discouraged you.

In my ministry, I’ve found that God gives us what we need to do whatever it is He’s asked us to do. Kids, a dog, our age, our interests and our idiosyncrecies can all open doors to ministry if we’re looking for that sort of thing. Oh, and in that last sentence, I do not mean to imply that kids and pets are pretty much the same thing.

I would say that someone who fits the “profile” in my post would be a good candidate for service in Western Europe. Our team’s strategy isn’t that different from many of my coworkers. But as another commenter pointed out- this is specific to our ministry and cultural setting. Maybe “Team Scandanavia” is all about mimes in the park and loudspeaker evangelism.

This post really caught my eye, especially the second part referring to attitudes about, say, American cultural mores and humility. Many of those have been conversation topics in my home in the last year.

My question is this – how representative is your post of the attitudes of most team leaders (or whatever you call them) in Western Europe? Are most teams looking for people like what you have described, or is it just you?

strike one: we’re career (at least, that is how we were hired, but i’m not doing this for my own ends)
strike two: i’m in my forties
strike three: i’m not from cali (but i’ve got the postmodern worldview worked out)
strike four: i’ve got kids
strike five: College (not univ) but no grad school …
ah, but i’ve got language already and i’m culturally relevant
experience: fifteen plus years experience. i’ve only been published in quotes.
last strike, tho: my gifts are not in teaching and encouragement …

it’s all relative …
what you are seeking for your dream team is perfect for your location/people group. in our town, being our age and having kids has opened more doors than you’d believe. it also does not hurt that the kids are in the national schools. so we can’t stay out until all hours, we’re too old for too much partying anyhoo (but back on the plus side, we don’t think drinking is wrong … just drinking and driving).

enjoying the posts. good luck on the applicant search