One day, I saw a television program
discussing some the requirements for a theoretical mission to Mars.
In it, one of the issues was psychology and personality types. That
not only is there need for certain personality types (Such as leader,
navigator, moral booster, etc) and ones that need be avoided (loner,
rambo-cowboy, psycho, etc); but it was also required that every
member have a “team player” personality type. That no one turns
into a “glory hog” and that everyone gives consideration to one
another. This got me thinking.
What if the Church body took things
that seriously.
In I Corinthians 12:4-31; Paul tells us
that the Church is one body with many parts. Each member has
different and unique parts. Each member has a specific role and set
of duties. This can also be seen as a team. Everyone works together
for the benefit of all.
Going a bit further back, I Corinthians
3:7-15 directly tells us that each Christian is a coworker to
another. Coworker should mean exactly what it implies. That we have
the same job!
And then sports. When you look at
sports teams, you see that the whole team plays. Granted, some teams
have the so-called “Star Players” that are gifted and are the
“Play-Makers”. They are the ones that can really make the
difference between a win or a lose. However, you also have teams that
can make do without those “stars” and win. These teams play as
teams. Each player contributes and all players work for the same
goal. Each player has a different set of strengths and weaknesses.
Some are fast, some are strong. Think wide-receivers and running
backs. The receivers are fast and can catch; running backs are strong
and shed tacklers. Some are smarter and can use strategy better. Some
are hard workers, and can overcome the physical shortcomings by
always working hard and being in the right spots at the right time.
Everyone has something to contribute! There isn't a single person who
isn't important (Even Seattle's so-called “12th man”
helps the team; the noise was blamed for the safety in the recent
Super Bowl!)
So it is with the Church. We have the
same goal and can experience more “success” the more we “play
nice” and incorporate team player mentalities. Can you name a
Church were one person (or a few) do most of the work that goes on in
a Church? Is that your Church you're thinking about? If so, how are
you contributing? Notice how I worded that. I didn't ask 'if' or
'are' you contributing to your Church. I asked 'how'. Every person
who attends and counts themselves as members of a Church should
generally help out to some degree. I'm not suggesting that they (or
you) turn into “super-volunteers”. I'm simply saying that there
is something going on within their (or your) Church that they (or
you) can help with. If you are uncertain, then certainly you can (and
should) ask. Start small, so that you don't bite off more than you
can chew. This will also help build credibility for those in the
Church leadership to trust you with small work in the beginning and
gradually you can do more. They will certainly appreciate the help,
especially if they are a few who do most of the work! This most
certainly is a case where “ask and thou shall receive”!
In the manner that the Church is a team
and that no one man can do the whole work of the Church, so it is
that no one can go their whole life without help. It is good not to
be a burden upon another person, but it is also wise to know when you
need help with a matter. If a person or a few offer help with a
matter (be it a ride to Church, financial assistance, help with a job
search) it is wise to accept. Refusing help when you need it is a
mark of pride. We know what follows pride. We have seen it. It takes
a wise person to learn from mistakes and a wiser person still to
learn from the mistakes of others. It shows humility to know when you
need help and can graciously accept. What would you think of someone
who helped everyone but always refused help (Even the Doctor needs
help from time to time!).
Now, some Churches are larger and some
are smaller. A small Church cannot do work on the same scale as a
larger Church. Is the smaller Church useless then? Certainly not! Any
Church you can name can do good works within the community in which
it resides! This applies to any Church at all! Larger Churches can
help on a wider scale and go over seas more often than a smaller
Church. Yet look! I am a member of a very small Church that has had
several missions trips to Central America! So it is the same
anywhere. The harvest is great but the workers are few!
Are some works greater than others? Any
work done for the glory of God and that actually helps a person or
people is good. Remember work is done for the glory of God; not the
glory of yourself. Remember the hypocrites in the street and what is
said about them.
Now, if we as Christians could remember
this and can consistently work together as opposed to arguing over
debatable matters, we might be able to get more work done. We might
be able to help more. We might better be able to show the world what
it truly means to love our neighbors and to help the least of these.
