Core Value #3 - TEAMWORK

I Cor 12:4-27 (p. 163)

Integrity gets proven in Sacrifice (Rich young ruler in Matt 19)

Without the first two, this one is impossible

Huge believer in teamwork!

There are some things in life that only work in teams – eg – football AND Church!!

We do teams for everything possible: Worship team, hospitality team, kids teams, leadership team, setup team – everything we can think of!

If you don’t like working with a team – Hope may not be for you!

Key to our next core value – Inclusiveness

This core value recognizes that God’s plan for us as a church (and for all churches) is to not be a grouping of individuals, but an effective team WHOLE.

Look at 1 Cor 12 – Long read

A few points about teamwork that this passage shows us!

TEAMWORK recognizes:

1. Common DESIGNER (v. 11)

He gives them to each one – just as He determines

This is not some random scattering of talents and abilities. Determines – to deliberate and decide what you intend – speaks of design. (same as in Rom 9:19 speaking of election – God’s choosing)

So there is a design to having all of the gifts distributed to different people.

I can’t try to make someone have more or less of a particular gift

I am not able to “do it all”

I am not in competition to have specific gifts

We should affirm each other’s call from God as evidenced by who they are!

Other examples of God’s design for Teamwork:

Elders (Titus 1:5 – appoint elders (plural) in every town (singular))

12 Apostles – Jesus didn’t even minister alone

70 Sent – 2 by 2 (Luke 10:1-2) Sent out in pairs as teams – pray for “workers”

Paul and Teams – we don’t ever see Paul working alone by choice!

“the work of one and the same Spirit” – if we embrace God’s call and design – WHO DOES THE WORK?

What is God’s work like

Effective and Excellent – Ps 139:14 “your works are wonderful”

SO we can be effective and do well as we let the Spirit work through us according to His design

Design is for Synergy – we can do more together than we ever could separately

Canadian geese flying V – 70% farther – aerodynamically like one wing

2. Common SOURCE (v. 4)

Our diversity of gifts, callings, and people are all handed to us by the providence of God

SO to question why I am like this and why can’t I do that is to question WHO?

We must recognize this reality by working in an attitude of submission to God’s leading – not my desires, wants, thoughts.

There will be times when you are used outside of your primary giftedness

There will be times when you are not using your primary giftedness

The source that provides all of these abilities unites us all – we are equal no matter what we can do!! Everything is important!

3. Common GOAL (v. 7)

For the common good – not personal gain but what is good for the team!!

Here is the proof of our hearts. What is your goal in church?

Do you come to get?

Or do you look for what you can give?

Are decisions based on personal impact or common impact?

Eg – kids workers – miss service but serve the families

Setup team – arrive early and work

If we look at the common goal instead of our selves, we will work together.

Remember that what God calls Hope to – He calls ALL of us to!

We succeed or fail TOGETHER as a ministry

TEAMWORK is characterized by:

1. UNITY (v. 12-13)

One Body

Because we have a common goal, designer and source – we should all live and act like a unified team.

The distinctions between us are meaningless for personal value – Jew or Greek, slave or free – we are all ONE.

One of the greatest weapons of the enemy is to bring divisions among the body

We begin to spend our strength against one another instead of with one another – TUG OF WAR

What defines us as a ministry is our connectedness – our togetherness.

We can never let personalities, ideas, desires, or talents make someone more valuable or someone less valuable – (James 2)

2. DIVERSITY (v. 14-22)

Yet unity does not mean conformity or cloning

How boring if everyone were the same!!

What does God want to do in our differences?

A. Bring security – v. 15 you are not disqualified from being a full partner for being different!

B, Bring appreciation – 21-22

We need each other – there is no minimizing of ANYONE’S role

C. Bring interdependence –v22

There is a joinedness – we cannot make it without one another

Body without feet is “handicapped” So the body without you is handicapped

3. Shared BURDENS / WORK (v. 25-26)

Common experiences – we share the joys and sorrows of life (prayer connects)

Rest/Relief – Matt 11:28, Gal 6:2 – a team means that we don’t have to do it all ourselves – others can take a turn to allow me to rest for when I am needed

Proverbs 15:22 – Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Working together brings accountability and strength – United we stand, divided we fall

We must look for ways to use teams at every opportunity. There is no need for Lone Rangers – even he had Tonto! Let us find strength as we embrace unity through diversity and SHARE THE LOAD together!