This 8 wk semester I am taking an Evangelism class as well as a team leadership class… Here is one of my latest Discussion board posts… Hope it hits a home run! (or at least a grounder to 3rd)
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Although the Bible doesn’t blatantly use the words “team” or “teamwork,” I truly believe that team ministry is important and can be found in a variety of Scripture references as well as foundational principles for Christianity. However, for this posting, I have determined that 1 Corinthians 12:20-26 speaks the most significantly to my heart about team ministry.
“As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
I believe this passage is foundational to the implementation of team ministry because the body, as a church, a family of Christ, is made of many, MANY very different parts and pieces. This represents significant emphasis on the team ministry viewpoint. Everyone has different spiritual gifts and purposes given by God, and we can glorify Him at a greater level if we work together through empowering and equipping one another through His name. The above passage states that God has made the body (team/family) and combined different (not right or wrong) parts together to give “greater honor.” While it sounds corny, ministry teams can truly follow the acronym of Together Everyone Achieves More. Not only does team ministry expand our networks and enhance our capabilities to reach others, but our gifts and abilities can complement one another to serve at a more efficient and higher level as opposed to going at it alone. I personally believe that this passage from 1 Corinthians is a representation of relationship, community and the lecture acronym of “Togetherness, Empowerment, Accountability, and Mentorship.”
God desires for us to have a relationship not only with Him, but also with one another. Just as we need Him in order to live our lives fully and wholly on this earth, He gave each of us strengths and weaknesses so we could also need others to be in fellowship and community with. We are not perfect for a reason. So whether we are serving as an eye, head, ear, foot, toe or pinky finger, team ministry showcases that we all have an important place in his Kingdom. We can achieve so much more together than we can apart. As a team within ministry, we can rejoice together, suffer together, grow together, serve together and fellowship together in order to exponentially increase the glory that is given to the Lord. Let’s be members of the team– because God is our coach!
Are you a part of a ministry team? Maybe a member within a body of Christ? Regardless, you are one of God’s children and can “play” for Him as he coaches you through life. Go ahead and ask God to put you on the winning team. Seek out the opportunity to serve and utilize your Spiritual Gifts. God can empower you to hit a HOME RUN!
SGK
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” –Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
