Dear Friends,
“My husband and I have a very happy marriage, a woman bragged. There
is nothing I wouldn’t do for him, and there is nothing he wouldn’t do for me.
And that is the way we go through life-doing nothing for each other.”
We can laugh at this joke, but unfortunately it is an attitude
that can easily impact a team. Whether in marriage, or athletics, or in
the workplace, not much of value will be accomplished without team members who
are committed to doing what’s in the best interest of the team.
Over the years of ministry, I have always been blessed to serve on
wonderful teams where no one cared who got the credit and where every
individual team member exemplified the goal of “one for all and all for one.”
This week I saw a wonderful example of just such teamwork as our
church launched Recovery Life, our new addiction outreach ministry.
Besides those on our prayer team who showed up early to pray for the meeting,
we had different members making coffee, baking cookies, leading small
groups, speaking. and providing hospitality. It was a great example of how a
team can successfully function as one, with the end result being that a large
number of people from our community found love and hope as they heard the good
news that Christ can break the chains of their addiction.
Working together unselfishly to achieve a common goal is one of
the most rewarding experiences in all of life. As an athlete, coach, and
pastor, I know that great things can be accomplished when no one cares who gets
the credit.
It is true that “one is always too small a number to achieve
greatness,” and that “teamwork makes dream work” as John Maxwell is fond of
saying.
I read that there is a sign hanging in the New England Patriot's
locker room that says, "Individuals play the game but teams win
championships," and it is hard to dispute the truth of that statement when
you reflect on the Patriots success over the years. Players without that
attitude didn’t last very long on Coach Belichick’s teams.
The Apostle Paul was a consummate team player. He knew that
ministry was a team effort, and that each player had a particular role to play
and a gift to share in achieving team success.
He writes, “I appeal to you brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but
that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement (1 Cor.1:10 ESV).
And when some were saying that they were following Paul, and some
Apollos and some Peter, Paul responded as a true team player would. He asked,
“But did I, Paul, die for your sins? Were any of you baptized in my name? I am
so thankful that I didn’t baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius. For now,
no one can think that I have been trying to start something new, beginning a
church of Paul” (1 Cor. 1:13-15. Living Bible Translation).
No ego for Paul. He knew there was no “I” in team as one of my
coaches used to always remind us. All he cared about was that ministry was
accomplished and it mattered not who did it, or who got the credit, so long as
it got done.
There is an old saying when it comes to teams: “Either we are
pulling together or we’re pulling apart.” Let’s make sure we are always
pulling in the right direction.
Enjoy the day and let me challenge you to make an effort to do
something that contributes to the success of your team whether in your family,
or at work, or in school or in church.
Yours in faith and friendship,
Tom
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