Functioning in Team

The Bible describes the Church as a priesthood of believers, a body with many members, a spiritual house built out of living stones. These metaphors aptly describe team: multiple players playing a vital role in an assignment bigger than themselves.

On a team there are no spectators. Everyone has to be trained and fit for service, ready to be called on to the field at a moment’s notice. If someone wants to play but is still nursing injuries from the past, they will first be treated so that they can be healed and build stamina again, thereby ensuring the smooth flow of the game. In light of the various positions that need to be filled on the team, there is room for diverse talent. The only ground rule is that we keep our eye on the game and not become indulgent about our specialist skills.

An essential ingredient to the effectiveness of the team is leadership. Throughout history, God has accomplished his plans by singling out ordinary men and women to guide His people into His purposes. When accountable, servant-hearted leaders steer the team toward the vision, allowing the team to function like a well-oiled machine, it is a beautiful thing.

Leaders open doors of opportunity for team members in keeping with their gifts, experience and character development. They also look out for emerging leaders whom they can come alongside and help develop into their full potential. When the Holy Spirit moves, the young will often spark with vision and the veterans will provide a buffer zone of wisdom and counsel, and the atmosphere of the church will crackle with catalytic energy and prophetic anticipation.

Our mission is to build a committed team of disciples. Therefore, we discourage “church hopping”, drive-through Christianity and spiritual consumerism. We do not glamorize the “public platform”, but are most energized when we find ways to work together. Team is non-competitive. It means that everyone has to lay down their own platform to achieve far greater influence through collaboration.

Whether we are planning a ministry endeavour or figuring out how to fund a large expense, we can achieve so much more when we rally together. The total will always be much greater than the sum of its parts.