Much of the emphasis today in the world of sports focuses still on the Dallas Mavericks winning last night.  It was the lead on every sports related program all through the day.  There was an occasion early in their history when a playoff game could not be played in their home arena.  The game was moved to a college campus with much less seating.  Years later this same group that could not find a home sits on top of the professional basketball world.  Writers are discussing how a team with only one real star could defeat another that plays with three of the best in the league.  You will read about the teamwork of the Mavericks should you be interested.  Most agree that the better team won.

Scripture talks about teamwork in its own language.  We refer to it as the body of Christ.  No congregation can reach beyond its grasp of the concept.  We sadly tend to lean on a select few to run a church.  People are usually chosen according to the bank account or some other earthly measure.  One of my friends from years ago referred to them as "bell cows."  He meant that a group would end up deciding what a church would do in terms of how it affected them.  We also are facing a crisis as some ministers are under the assumption that they have all of the answers.  People exist to carry out their directions.  Far too many of our more conservative churches are dealing with this.  Don't get me wrong.  My hope is that the pastor has good ideas for his congregation.  In a perfect world you find cooperation flourishing as the minister leads.  Just know this is not always the case.  God surely intended a better way for us to operate.

His plan is for all of us to be in a healthy relationship with Him.  We learn what our gifts are then begin to exercise them in the world.  It's that last part that matters.  Doing genuine ministry is not just something you do in the church walls.  God's gifts are for extending into the life around you.  No one can do this beyond their degree of maturity.  Most of the issues that factor into church health are inward.  Too much time is spent on discussing the management of the congregation.  Far too much time gets wasted trying to work through bad situations.  What people do not fully realize is the damage done when a church is unhealthy.  I honestly do not think that God will trust that place with new people.  Teamwork means all of our spiritual life revolves around one person.  Obviously that person is God.

Be sure that God can do greatness through any people who look to Him for guidance.  Just also know that unhealthy congregations can look very ugly.  Picking and choosing our friends has no place with a church that looks beyond itself.  Criticism must give way to encouragement.  Being a championship team is not easy.  Adversity is a great temptation to point fingers at one another.  Great teams pull together rather than tear apart.  None of this is easy.  You will have to resist every human tendency to be destructive.  Being part of what God is doing means doing it in His way.  It's something you have to do one day at a time.  But it is also something that lasts for eternity. 

Bro. Trey