Giving Credit to the Guys

Now that we are solidly into the football season we are also in the midst of listening to the stars get interviewed about their greatness. Often, the big star will make some comment about the guys on the team to the effect that he didn't do it alone, it was a team effort. Of course all of us listening in believe that he doesn't mean what he says but that rather it is the polite thing to do so that he doesn't look like some arrogant cocky kid. The only thing is, what he says, whether he believes it or not, is absolutely true. Just ask a superstar who isn't doing so well now that the teamates around him aren't so good.

I think of that need for team every time I get together with the leadership team at Harvest Community Church. I am privileged to work with a group of guys that has great relationships and great relationships that continue to grow. In an earlier blog I suggested that churches tend to be led by guys with similar giftings to their own detriment. After reflecting on the group of guys I get to work with, I realize that one of our strengths is the differences that exist among us. We are not the same, do not have the same background, do not share the same interests, do not view problems and opportunities the same, and just do not have the same giftings or abilities. Yet, at the end of the day, we are lock step together heading in the same direction. If I had one gift to impart to anybody out there in business or sport, and of course especially those pastoring new church startups, this blessing of a varied leadership would top my list. May God's kingdom grow, no matter the individual effort, as healthy teams strive to be all that God has called them to, for His glory, and His alone.

Man, I have a great team surrounding me and all the credit for our wins goes to them! And I mean it!

Catching the Plague

I was doing a little driving this week and heard a short quiz on the radio station I was listening to. The answer to one of the questions was that the black plague still infects approximately 200 people per year around the world, but that with modern medicine there almost no deaths because of it. Quite a difference from the near 75 million who are thought to have died from this back in the 1300's. It is said to have wiped out from 30-60% of the European population of the time. Which leads me to reflect on another thing I heard this week. President Hamel of the Evangelical Free Church of America suggested in a panel talking about reconciliation that we need to 'get over the idea that to be with sinners is to catch what they have. If that is a problem then the problem is with us, not with them'. (Not a word for word quote, but close)

I'm not sure there is need for much comment, just reflection. This is a relevant topic to think upon because the church is the place where people seem to feel judged, and by that I mean Christians seem to be very aware that other Christians are watching and that therefore they have to be very careful who they associate with lest they be thought to be partaking in the sinful lifestyle of the 'others'. Can we please have a discussion about that so that we can get over it? Jesus got accused of all kind of sinful associations and it didn't seem to bother Him. I still let it bother me and affect me, but to the degree that it prevents me from reaching out and making a difference it is wrong. Eternally wrong.

Teams that don't agree

I have been reflecting this past day on the leadership team that Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:11, and it occurs to me that this will be a team that doesn't agree on everything. If you have an Evangelist type person who is always on the go looking for new ways to see the gospel expand, and you also have a Pastor who is looking to heal brokeness, you may have a meeting where the only we can agree upon is that we have different goals in mind. The thing is, they will always find there legitimacy in the Scriptures. The Evangelist will be able to point to the activity of Paul and the Great Commission passages. The Pastor will counter with all those ideas of discipleship and healing wounds and growth toward maturity. Of course, the right answer will be yes. Both are right and necessary...but I wonder, would we allow for that much diversity? After all, we only pay pastors, and pastors typically only allow on their team those who are team players, those who will subordinate their desires to the will of the team, and that usually means the desires of the leader of the team. Yet, I think it is vital to being the church that God has called us to be about.

John Wooden was the coach of the UCLA Bruins and a man of God whom I admire. His thoughts on this topic of diverse opinions and approaches was that it was all a necessary part to having the best possible team. When the men stepped on the court they were not acting as individuals and they were never to 'do their own thing'. They absolutely had to play as a team. But practice and interaction off the court could be testy and tough because everyone comes from a different strength and perspective. Could we capture that mentality? Do we have that kind of interdependent/independent giftedness on our team? I am not sure it is optional...