Weekly Update – 14th June

Teamwork makes the Dream Work

‘Corporate’ speak – urgh! I often listen to meetings going on in my headphones while I’m at work (a win from Covid times is that meetings are now via Teams so you don’t have to be there in person) and I have a private rule that if the speaker uses 3 jargon phrases in the first 5 minutes I’m allowed to switch off. I don’t have the bandwidth to listen to the download of the mission critical, mind meld, full disclosure item that, more often than not, has a pin put in it and is taken offline, just so that we can circle back at a later date. What a load of nonsense!!!

Except there’s just enough truth in a phrase to keep it in use isn’t there.

Teamwork is integral throughout the New Testament. Before he starts his ministry, Jesus chooses twelve disciples to accompany him. They weren’t just followers or friends; they were a team with a shared mission. They looked out for, encouraged and supported each other.

In Mark 6:7 Jesus sends out the twelve, two by two, demonstrating again how important working with others is.

Paul didn’t travel alone. We hear about Barnabas, Silas and Timothy. In his letters he oftens mentions his co-workers and gives thanks for their partnership (Philippians 1:3-5).

Teams come in many guises; some of which we’ll belong to for life.

I’m one of three siblings, we’re a team (that’s not to say we don’t bicker);

I’m married (there’s another teammate!)

I work in an office of a dozen people, the ‘Maidstone’ team (although I work in Kings Hill which isn’t Maidstone, but our Head Office is Manchester and they lose interest after London).

I’m one of two churchwardens and consider myself very blessed to have Nigel as my teammate (he may feel differently 🤣)

Each team member is very different from one another (possibly with the exception of my sister – but I don’t see it). We can’t all do the same things, we don’t all feel the same about everything, we approach situations in different ways, some of us are morning people, there’s detail people and others who can visualise and imagine.

‘There are different gifts, but the same Spirit’ 1 Corinthians 12:4

Of course, teamwork making the dream work depends on a fair few variables. Is it the right team? Are the team in the right place? What even is the dream?

If the dream is to finally ‘Bring It Home’ after 60 years, then we hope that we do have the right team and that they all bring their own strengths at the right time in the right place.

But shouldn’t our dream be bigger than that? Aren’t we part of a bigger team?

‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 28:19)

Amen

 

Jenny