What exactly is a team? A team is a group of individuals who share jointresponsibility for achieving a shared goal. A team is interdependent--everyonematters. If any one member fails to adequately perform his or her role, then thewhole team suffers and may fail to achieve itsobjectives. Moreover, it is important for a team to work synergistically, or itmay not reach its fullest potential.
God believes in teams--thatÕs why He created the first team--the covenant ofmarriage. Man and woman coming together to work in unison for the betterment oftheir team, the family. God knows that it takes teams to accomplish His will inthe earth--thatÕs why He created the notion of the gathering of the saints,more commonly referred to as churches. Brothers and sisters, each uniquelygifted, working together cooperatively to achieve the purposes of God.
You may be wondering, ÒWhat does the Bible say about building teams forhealthy marriages, families, ministries and churches?Ó It says a lot! Some maythink that corporate America invented the principles of building successfulteams with total quality management, power networking, strategic alignments andother management concepts. Yet, the Bible is a fail-safe, roadmap for teambuilding and contains strategies that stand the test of time. Our HeavenlyFather doesnÕt hire consultants to implement a new wave of team buildingmethods. He doesnÕt need the latest strategy since His system has worked wellsince the beginning of time and cannot be improved upon. Although many businessleaders have mimicked GodÕs principles, they often fail to understand the keyelement imperative for successful teams i.e. power belongs to God.
This article explores three elements of team building GodÕs way: selectingteam members, clarifying the vision and goals, and effective leadership. We arechallenged to implement GodÕs principles for success whether our team is ourmarriage, our family, our job, our business, or a sports team. By doing so, weare assured that despite the obstacles and despite the setbacks, in the end,our team will win while each member achieves his or her highest potential.
In the world, corporate leaders employ a number of tools to identify andsecure the right team members. They administer a battery of psychological andpersonality tests, check references, review credit reports and establish aprobationary period all designed to ensure that the job goes to the rightperson with an impeccable background and a proven track record.
God, however, says that we are all qualified to join His team despite ourshortcomings. He doesnÕt care about our IQ, our connections, our degrees, ourawards and trophies nor our bank account or the lack thereof.
The human body has many parts,but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of ChristÉYes,the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, "Iam not a part of the body because I am not a hand,Ó that does not make it anyless a part of the bodyÉBut God made our bodies with many parts, and he has puteach part just where he wants itÉIn fact, some of the parts that seem weakestand least important are really the most necessaryÉ.If one part suffers, all theparts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. Nowall of you together are ChristÕs body, and each one of you is a separate andnecessary part of it.
God looks beyond our faults and sees the giftings that He deposited deepinside of us. Often we canÕt see them because they are so tarnished by the manydisappointments of failures in our past. Yet, God forgets our past mistakes asfar as the east is from the west. He is so busy trying to reveal to us our bright future. He is notimpressed when He reads our resumes; He is impressed when He reads our hearts.
Principle 2:Clarifying Team Vision and Goals
The world highlights the importance of shared goals.
We donÕt have to waste so much time at retreats if we spend more time incommune with God. God says that He knows the plans He has for you and for me(Jeremiah 29:11). Since He knows the right plan, letÕs go directly to Him. Hepromises that His Holy Spirit will guide us, providing the tactics andstrategies we need. When we face barriers and closed doors, His word says askand He is happy to provide wisdom (James 1:5). And believe it or not, He evenwill provide the resources and divine connections working through both thesaved and the unsaved.
Since the vision is GodÕs, we allow Him to do the workthrough us. We donÕt get the vision and try to part the Red Sea without GodÕsdirection, strength, strategy and timing. We are totally dependent upon Him. Tothe contrary, we also donÕt get the vision and then sit back when God saysmove. No, we do our part as directed by God, and leave the rest to Him. How dowe know our part? We stay inconstant contact with Him, asking questions, reading His word, applying Hisinstruction and sitting quietly in His presence waiting for a response.Remember, the vision is His and He will work through His people to bring it topass.
Surprisingly, a perfect God does not look for perfection in selecting teamleaders. In fact, He has done some of His most awesome work through teammembers who are flawed to a great degree. Who in corporate America would hire a known murderer to head a majorreal estate acquisition? Who at the Pentagon would select a coward to lead amajor battle? Who would select a bigot to teach about the very institute he hadpurposed to destroy? No, these are not the types of team leaders we wouldselect, but God did. Moses, whohad killed an Egyptian, led the people of God to the promised land. Gideon, ashivering coward who hid from the enemy, was chosen by God to be a mighty manof valor. And Paul, a man who persecuted the followers of Christ with puredetermination, went on to be the principal teacher and writer of GodÕs word.
So what does this mean for you? It means God may call you to lead at any time--while you are in themidst of your mess or the mess is in the midst of you. It doesnÕt matterbecause, ultimately, God is in charge. To be a leader GodÕs way, you must firstbe a servant. Even Jesus washed the disciplesÕ feet before entering into glory(John 13). You must be willing and have a heart for the thing that God is callingyou to. In the body of Christ, weare all team leads at various times as determined by the supreme authority inthe universe.God will guide us into leadership; we donÕt have to come fully equipped.
Teambuilding GodÕs way is different from what the world might suggest. To be amember of God's distinguished team, you must simply believe in His son, Jesusthe Christ. To carry out your role effectively and efficiently, you only needto let God set the vision and supply the power to succeed. To be elevated to ateam lead, simply be willing, God has been waiting for you to step up to theplate.
Prayer focus: Father God, we ask in the name of Jesus that you would continue totransform us into committed, successful members of your team.
Angela Heath
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