Team

…from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16

This week we are focusing on the system of the church and how we, as members of this system, play an important part of the whole.  Being a member of a church can provide us with many resources, both spiritual and social, both important to our lives.  Serving in a church can bring even more fulfillment and enrichment to our lives.  We all complement each other and working together, we can fulfill God’s purpose for our lives and for the church.

We often refer to the operation of the system as Team:

T ogether

E veryone

A chieves

M ore

Being on a team signifies each member has a role to play to achieve a victory or accomplish a goal.  No room for observers. Teamwork simply stated means less me and more we.  Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.  Wild ducks make a lot of noise, but they also have the sense to benefit from occasionally flying in formation.  There must be a desired outcome, a common goal and common direction.  The church or any organization without these loses direction and purpose. 

The opportunities for ministry are discovered in the everyday places of our lives. While we wait for someone to call us to some specific service it is possible we walk by the very ones God has placed in our lives for our care.  Every single ministry of the church is important.  Rocking babies and changing diapers in the nursery may not seem like great kingdom work to you, but by being available to serve in this capacity, we can provide this service to mothers who otherwise may not get to go to church, who may have never heard the gospel and as a result, give their lives to Jesus because a nursery was provided and they were in church.  Sometimes it is hard to see the big picture. 

We may not all be called to be preachers, teachers, or counselors, but every way we can serve is still a gift.  Without people willing to serve in all areas, the body cannot function:

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.  If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, "I am not part of the body because I am only an ear and not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body?  Suppose the whole body were an eye -- then how would you hear? Or if your whole body were just one big ear, how could you smell anything?  But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each part just where he wants it. 
1 Corinthians 12:14-18 NLT

So yes, sometimes we are called to do the work behind the scenes or to be support staff for the “big dogs”, but all the parts work together and one does not function well without the support of the other.  No matter what position you are in, God has you there for a reason.  Some greater purpose is being fulfilled with your assignment and it really is important that we do all things with a good attitude and with all the effort we can muster.  Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men… Colossians 3:23. 

Scripture to Claim:
Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.  1 Corinthians 12:27