Four12 article image for 'Synergy' about the efficacy of working together as a team for God

Synergy

I’m sure you are part of a few teams – as a spouse, a parental team leading your kids, a management team, a creative team at work, a sound team at church, a kids ministry team, or an eldership or leadership team. And with all these relationships and WhatsApp groups we are on, it is easy to forget the power, efficacy and joy of a unified team. When the team we are part of is working, it is such a joy, but likewise it can be frustratingly painful when it’s not.
Three all-powerful persons in the Godhead, all with the power to do their own thing.. humbly submit to one another

The Trinity’s Synergy

Remember that God exists as a unified team. What a reality: Three all-powerful persons in the Godhead, all with the power to do their own thing and seek their own will, humbly submit to one another and work together. We see that Jesus prays and asks the Father that our oneness with other fallible human beings will model and reflect the oneness of the perfect Godhead. (John 17)

Sharing the Burden

I have often felt burdened by the challenges of church leadership, the nastiness of sin in the camp, and the slow, veering off course that can happen. When these burdens are weighing me down, I go to God, but also to my team to carry it with me; to share the load. So use them. Phone them. Share the load, Frodo.

Finding Wisdom

How many times wisdom cries out in the Bible that you find her in the counsel of many (Proverbs 15:22). As individuals, we do not have all the wisdom. A good, healthy dollop of humility is needed here. Paul tells us that each of us is ‘not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members..’ (Rom 12:3-4a)

Accomplishing More Together

The law of synergy really works! Truly, one puts a thousand to flight but two put ten thousand to flight (Deut 32:30). We see that each of David’s mighty men – often more mighty than David – united themselves in a team and became an army as unto the army of the Lord (1 Chron 12:22). Together, they accomplished unprecedented success for Israel.

Being Accountable

Another great benefit (though maybe for you it’s a great fear) is of your team getting to know you and being able to speak into your life. I remember getting married and realising after a year that my spouse was actually not the whole problem in each conflict! God’s heart for team is not just for efficacy but also a tool for you to be shaped into His image. Be willing to ask the questions: Am I easy to lead? Is the way I speak in meetings helpful or arrogant? Too much? What’s the best part that I can play?

Leading in Unity

In a congregation, people feel safe when a team is taking the lead. The truth is that they will also become like the team. For example, if an eldership team is unified – one in heart, mind and purpose – then the church will be too. They will follow what the team models and not just what the pastor’s good teaching on unity says.

Don’t undermine your team, ever! It’s suicide really.

So never forget to guard the unity of team. The devil hates it and knows its power. Don’t undermine your team, ever! It’s suicide really. Rather, always aim to communicate openly. And meet often. As I tell my kids before my wife and I go out on dates, the more time we spend together, the better parents we will be.

What a privilege to be part of a band of brothers and sisters. What a joy to be part of this wonderful thing called team!

Ryan is the lead elder of the multi-site church City on a Hill in Gauteng, and he also ministers apostolically worldwide. He is married to Lelani and a father of four. Ryan is passionate about raising up zealous leaders, planting churches and building healthy churches. 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Facebook
(Twitter)
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email

Related Articles

PRIVACY POLICY

We respect your privacy and freedom to choose, so if you continue to use our Website then you agree to be bound by the terms set out in this legal notice & Privacy Policy