Basic Team Principles

I'm continually amazed at how God aligns' these posts and they are later followed up by conversations, sermons or interviews in the days that follow (or the next day) that go hand in glove with a particular theme or thought process.

Take for instance, Tuesday's post.

The simple concept that every one of us, with every single thing that we have either accomplished or set out to accomplish began with a starting part where we were neither strong in our ability nor did we have a clue in our understanding.

This was followed up yesterday, by a sermon by Pastor J.D. Greear, who opened his message from Titus with the story of his coaching his kids' little league soccer team. Quite the humorous tale, he points out that it's not much of a game nor is there much to coach. So for all the fun and humor of watching kids play soccer that are barely in grade school, there are really only three objectives for the team.

As I listened to these three points and his explanation, I couldn't help but consider, as a nod to the importance of the basic building blocks of any great organization, that it's sometimes necessary to revisit them. And for churches that are in the process of being planted and leadership teams being established, these points are crucial.

They are also my prayer, not only for the church, but for my family.

1) Go in the right direction.
2) Don't walk off the field while the game is on
3) There is such a thing as positions... there is a point to game, a beauty to the game, plus, you might actually win.

Pretty basic, right? Yet, incredibly profound. Churches split, because people go in opposite directions. Churches die because people walk away before the buzzer. Churches fail because people don't operate at their appointed spots. For indeed, there is a point to the game that makes sense when people are where they are supposed to be. There is a beauty to the game, when it's played as it was intended. And who knows what outcome awaits, but if everyone plays their position, they might actually win!

So, on this #deaconThursday, pray for churches and leadership teams, especially for those churches that are being planted or currently in the very early and formative stages. Pray for an establishment and re-establishment of making sure everyone knows the direction of play. Pray for stamina, endurance and perseverance; that by the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, people would stay on the field. Furthermore, pray that people would play their positions. May they not abandon their post or try to play where they are not equipped or anointed to do so. Pray they would not leave areas open and vulnerable where the enemy may strike and gain an advantage in the spiritual realm.

For the betterment of the body of Christ.
For the testament of the blessing of the church.
For the glory of God
And the advancement of the Gospel of Christ.

- PNC

J.D. Greear