#2 Collaborative
In an effort to cultivate excellence in “team work” and our own, personal contributions to this effort we will be learning the 17 qualities of a team player. These brief lessons are intended to be devotional thoughts that will remind us of our objective though the month.
| Our purpose in the evangelism ministry is to empower the church for the development of relationships that strengthened through rapport. Thereby, enabling the revelation of God’s will in to the life of the seeker; allowing Christ to be seen, taught, exposed, and exhibited. These result in our participation in the scheme of redemption and the continuation of Christianity in our community. We do this by: 1. Administrative excellence 2. Corresponding excellence 3. Teaching excellence |
Let’s begin by defining the word team. A team is a group of people working together for a common end in sight with a fixed understanding that what is done individually is for the purpose of the whole (team) and the goal (of the team).
Maxwell says, “Working together precedes winning together.” He not only is right, but it stands as a fundamental truth to establish a significant ministry. We cannot forget one very central truth. Our teamwork is because of the work and the team. The service carries eternal significance and immediate significance for the lives and souls of men and women, boys and girls all over the world through the conduit of this gateway city. We must collaborate.
This is a great challenge and it requires great and excellence teamwork, which demands the most needed quality of collaboration.
Quality #2 Collaborative COLLABORATION is working together aggressively.
- It obviously means much more than our working together. We cooperate regularly. Cooperation is working together agreeably. When we collaborate, we all bring our best to the service in order to add value to the team and synergy to the service.
- The efforts of a truly collaborative team are always significantly greater then the numbers of the team. “What collaboration gives is greater than the number giving it!”
“What collaboration gives is greater than the number giving it!”
The characteristics of collaborative people:
- They have the right Perception – Collaborative team members strive to complete one another and not compete with one another. We must perceive each other as a unit that functions and genuinely recognizes the necessity of being a team. Phil. 2:1-4
- They have the right Attitude - Collaborative team members recognize that an attitude can make you or break you. Our attitude is simply the manner of showing our thought or feelings by our disposition. “We assume the best in one another all the time and encourage the best from one another.” Phil. 2:4, 5-11
- They have the right Focus - Collaborative team members focus on the service that the team is accomplishing and not on themselves. The wrong questions are, “What is in it for me? How can I get out of this? Can’t someone else do it? Why Me?” The right questions are focus questions. “What do I need to do to make this happen? How does this benefit the church? How does God get glory from my sacrifice and surrender? Will this help me do like Jesus?” Phil. 3:12-14
When we focus our hearts, we take broad multiple streams of giftedness and service and create a centered laser like powerful progressive work force.
- They have Results - Collaborative team members get it done. The more we work together, the more momentum we create in moving as a unit. And, the more that is accomplished, the greater joy we will have to continue in what we do! We need to work out the equation of collaboration. Col. 3:17; Eph. 6:7
So What? How can I be better?
1. Think “Win!” Never settle for anything less than victory! Second place is not first place. Not accomplishing your goals is a loss. It is not okay to not make it. Again, second place is the first loser. Think win and then win. “By any means necessary”
2. Be an adder. Find ways to add value. Develop your weaknesses and admit where you are slacking. You cannot develop in places you do not admit you need help.
3. See the service through the eyes of God. God practices seeing the hurt, hearing the cries, emphasizing with the situation, and coming down to rescue. We need to see like the Savior.
Conclusion: Our ability to continue to empower the church and demonstrate ministry can only be accomplished by teamwork. Good, effective, and excellent teamwork necessitates collaborative team players.