TEAMWORK
“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” I Corinthians 3:9
Teamwork has been defined as “the work or activity of a number of persons acting in close association as members of a unit.” Paul was describing the work of the Lord in and through the church at Corinth as teamwork. Several important components are included in the text that make up that definition.
Initially, we see that there is work or activity involved. In describing ministry, the Lord uses the word labourers. Teamwork involves work. Every member of the team should be contributing toward the objectives of the team. There is much work to be done in the service of the Lord. What a difference it would make if every child of God was eager to serve the Lord with his talents and treasure! Too often it is a minority of the people who are doing a majority of the work.
Another practical bit of instruction about teamwork is seen in the word together. Team members must work in close association. Members of the team should cooperate with one another, help each other, and support each other. The more we work together, and serve as a unit, the more effective we will be. As individual churches, the bodies of Christ, we are to function in harmony. True teamwork requires unity.
In team sports, we sometimes see examples of team members who are not team players. They are primarily concerned with their individual achievements, rather than striving for the success of the team. As church workers, we have common objectives rather than many individual and unrelated goals. It is refreshing to see teams that cooperate, rather than a group of dysfunctional individual performers. Serving the Lord through His churches requires teamwork. We are working together as a team to see His objectives realized. As team members, we can accomplish much more than we could as individuals. It is true on the job, in the home, and in the church. We need to work together as a team.
Another encouraging thing about this team effort is that we are laboring together “with God.” Not only are we working together as a team, but also God is working with us. Imagine that, having God as our team Captain. We are not only serving the Lord, but we are also serving with the Lord. How could we ever lose with God on our team?