We’ve all heard the sayings: There is no “I” in team, T.E.A.M. = Together Everyone Achieves More, teamwork is working together — even when apart, and so many more. In fact, there are probably hundreds of team and teamwork related quotes and references used every day in businesses, churches, professional sports, volunteer organizations, political parties, etc. The simple reason for all of this is that teams work! They have for a very long time and, in fact, we can find dozens of references to teams and teamwork in the Bible.
For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Corinthians 12:14 (KJV)
This is the simplest and most eye-opening verse exemplifying teamwork in the Bible. We, the body of Christ – the people that make up all humankind – are a team. The body (or team) is not supported by one person, but by all of us. We are strongest and at our individual best when we are working together. Teamwork is the key to living life together in harmony so that we can achieve God’s will.
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)
So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners [teammates]as they teach the truth. 3 John 1:8 (NLT)
Leadership and teamwork expert, Patrick Lencioni, is the author of ten business books that have sold nearly five million copies, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Lencioni’s upcoming release, The Ideal Team Player, explores the three essential virtues that accelerate teamwork and predict team success. According to Lencioni, “A functional team must make the collective results of the group more important to each individual than individual members’ goals.”
As Lencioni points out, focusing on the goals of the team helps leaders keep their egos in check, “It is dangerous if our identity as a leader becomes more important than our identity as a child of God.”
