Church: It's a Team Thing

A team is a group of two or more people working together to accomplish a task.  Nowadays a lot of people associate the idea of "team" with sports.  But, team can be applied to many areas of life.  Just as each member of a sports team has a different role to play and skills to offer, so do members of “Work” teams. The same goes for a church setting. Many, including myself, do not see or consider members of a church as a team working together toward the same goal.

This past week I attended a Teambuilding exercise called MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.) The objective of this event was to enhance Teambuilding in the professional environment. Teambuilding is the process by which a group of individuals are encouraged to learn about themselves, each other, their leaders, and how all these components fit together to boost team success. As I interacted with others in this event I could not keep my mind from wandering to how this very concept applies to the Church. Each person in the church brings individual preferences for their “Source of Energy” (Extraversion-Introversion,) “Taking in Information” (Sensing-Intuition,) “Decision Making” (Thinking-Feeling,) and “Lifestyle” (Judging-Perceiving.) Based on these four preference dichotomies you can derive up to sixteen unique personality types.  By participating in this exercise an individual is able to better understand their personality type and the relationship of each individual’s preferences to the way you and other team members interact.

Although, this particular exercise was not a foreign concept to me from a professional standpoint I had never participated in a real life event putting this into practice.  The more I thought about it, the more aware I became of how this relates to the “Church” Environment.  People makeup a church.  Each and every individual brings to the table a different set up preferences that define their make-up and shape how they believe, feel and express their desires.  And, this makes me curious about two things as I look at the makeup of the Church today:  1.)  “What are the constraints individuals have with one another that inhibits their ability to help each other get to heaven?  2.) What are the constraints that inhibit us from completely and totally turning ourselves over to God?” As I pondered these questions several things caught my attention.  I narrowed my list down to 6 important items that I think can help the church team become a healthier experience.

* Fostering openness and trust.

* Providing a language with which to discuss differences.

* Underscoring the value of diversity.

* Teaching the Church team to value and work with the strengths of others.
* Helping increase productivity by aligning an individual’s preferences to the particular goal of God’s plan for us.

* Identifying the Church teams assets and blind spots.

Colossians 3:12-14... Says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

“Church is a Team Sport” and it's all about making disciples, caring for people, following up on stray sheep, and teaching what it means to love God and obey him.  This is what transforms Christians from Monday-morning quarterbacks into dynamic players.

Jesus, thank you for your unconditional love. Help us, Lord to have a soft heart and love one another more. Jesus, clear our vision so that we may realize “Church Is a Team Sport” and help us have an open mind to understand others preferences to enhance our personal growth and renew our spiritual strength. We love you. Amen.

Landon Kribbs

Stephenville, Texas

I am a Christian

I recently received an email forward that I actually thought was worth my time to read.  Most of the time, I skim through them and delete without reading it fully.  But, this email in particular really made me stop and consider how I consider myself and the descriptor I use as “Christian”. 

I am guilty of calling myself a “Christian” as if it were a badge I wear on my jacket and an item on my resume.  It becomes an involuntary thought somehow twisted into a qualification for something.

Here’s the email:

When I say that ‘I am a Christian’, I am not shouting that ‘I am clean living’.

I’m whispering ‘I was lost, but now I’m found and forgiven’.

When I say ‘I am a Christian’, I don’t speak of this with pride. 

I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say ‘I am a Christian’, I’m not trying to be strong.  

I’m professing that I’m weak and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say ‘I am a Christian’, I’m not bragging of success.

I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean up my mess.

When I say ‘I am a Christian’, I’m not claiming to be perfect.

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say ‘I am a Christian’, I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon HIS name.

When I say ‘I am a Christian’, I’m not holier than thou.

I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s grace.

Being a follower of Christ certainly gives us a confidence in knowing our debt has been paid in full at the cross and that God’s love for us is so deep and unconditional.  However, this confidence should not lend itself to arrogance.  It should actually be the inverse.  I should recall the words above and strive to help others recognize the grace God gives us so freely is liberating but also humbling.

In today’s society, we expect each other to be perfect, without fault and blemish.  Reality Check please! …..  Holding each other accountable is important, but we are creatures of the flesh and full of imperfections.  Recognizing my own flaws might limit me in identifying other people’s flaws.  I am an imperfect individual that is weak and more than capable of creating more ‘mess’ than I know what to do with.  I am so incredibly thankful for my Father who has generously covered me with His grace and allowed me to draw near to him.  He fixes all of my issues or at least gives me the strength to endure them. 

Isaiah 41: 9-10

9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Father,

Please forgive me of considering myself as a Christian as if it’s a title I earned.  Help me to humbly embrace your love and grace in all of my weaknesses.  I ask Lord, that you help remind me of what is means to be a Christ – follower in all of my thoughts, words and actions.  Thank you for your unending grace.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Michelle Tittor

Grapevine, Tx

Don't Let it Change You

Been stung lately?
Not by a bee or a scorpion.  
The human variety.  The sting of rudeness, slander, anger, maliciousness.  The sting of such things can poison our hearts and change our spirits...if we let it.  

The story is told of an old man who liked to meditate every morning under the shade of a big tree on the bank of the Ganges River.  One day, after he'd completed his morning ritual, he noticed a scorpion tangled in the tree roots at the water's edge.  As the scorpion struggled to free itself, the current from the river threatened to submerge the helpless animal.  

The old man crawled out on the roots of the tree and reached over to save the scorpion from drowning.  For all of his effort, the old man was rewarded with a sting from the distressed creature.  The old man recoiled in pain, but soon gained his composure and again extended his hand to save the scorpion.  And this went on for some time until the old man's hands were swollen with the venom from the scorpion.  

A passer-by shouted to the old man: "Are you crazy?  Why do you want to save such a vile creature that is so intent upon harming you?"  

"It is the scorpion's nature to sting," said the old man, "but why should that change my nature to help?"  

Listen to the wisdom in the streets.  Take to heart what television programs and movies tell us about "revenge."  Linger in just about any break room in any office complex and listen in on the daily chatter.   The word is out:  Let the stingers beware!  The cliche' "it's a dog-eat-dog world" begins to make sense when we absence the gospel and the Lordship of Christ.  

Jesus' actions at the cross are necessary for our salvation.  His words at the cross show us what it means to live nobly as people of the gospel in a world that gets out of bed with their stingers on guard!  With ignorance, hate and malice standing before his pain-racked body he said, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing" (Luke 24:34).   Paul said, "Bless those who persecute you, bless and curse not....Never pay back evil for evil to anyone" (Romans 12:14, 17)  

Our commitment to non-retaliation is a moral thing with us, but when viewed in the practical experience of everyday life the implication is much bigger.  It shows "stingers" the dignity, power and beauty we are capable of as human beings when the Spirit of Christ rules in our hearts.    

Father, give us such a heart.  We are susceptible to the poison of hate, malice and revenge.  The stings we experience can send this poison coursing through our veins.  We are tempted to hear only:  "it's your right" - destroy!  Save us from such thoughts and their progression into action.  Bathe our hearts with your grace and a greater sense of our calling to be the presence of Christ in those moments when we hurt so bad.  Give us the continual ministry of your Spirit so that we can live beyond the seductive reach of our own sense of justice and injustice.  And, may we genuinely seek out how we can do good even to those who sting us.  Because of Jesus....Amen.

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

A Series of Contrasts

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  Ephesians 2:13

God’s plan of salvation is a fascinating series of contrasts.  Under the old covenant, Jewish priests slaughtered and sacrificed perfect lambs on an altar for the sins of the people.  Not just once, but regularly because this kind of sacrifice only atoned for, or “covered over,” their sins for the time being.  This shedding of blood was a necessary part of forgiveness and salvation.  Why?  Because God said so.

God’s people now live under a new covenant, but sacrifice remains a key element in our salvation.   God came to earth in human form as Jesus, the Son of God.  He was tempted in every way we are, but never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).  He was THE perfect sacrificial Lamb who died for our sins, and the Bible says He died once for everyone (I Peter 3:18).

Bloodshed usually means war, murder, physical trauma, injury or death.  In contrast, the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross means peace, tolerance, healing, and eternal life.

Under the old law the priests’ white robes were soaked with blood at the end of their workday.  Under the new law we were dirty from our sins, but Jesus’ sacrificial death makes us a “royal priesthood” (I Peter 2:9), and our robes are, “made white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

Isn’t God amazing?  His plan for our salvation is a paradox where death means life!  We were far off, but His blood brings us near.

Father, your plan for our salvation continues to unfold in fascinating ways.  Guide us through each step and help us understand your will for us.   We’ve done nothing to deserve your love or merit your forgiveness but we are truly thankful for Jesus’ willingness to die in our place, to take away our sins, so we can live with you forever.   Amen  

Sandra Milholland
Abilene, Texas

Salty Salt

“You are the salt of the earth.  But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again?

It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people.”

(Matthew 5:13)

Throughout my lifetime, I’ve been involved in athletics.  I was raised in a coaching environment.  My father was a coach and I’ve followed in his footsteps!  In athletics, certain phrases are commonly thrown around.  Some examples of this are:  “Wow – he’s salty!” and “that sure was a salty play!” etc.  The term “salty” is used all of the time in sport.  Lately, I’ve thought a lot about what it means to be salty and my questions have led me to research it biblically.  I began with the verse above and have tried to see how it applies to us as Christians.

We, as Christians, are called the salt of the earth because our lives enhance and give meaning to this existence we call life.  Before salvation, we were like grains of sand, too numerous to count.  But after receiving Christ, we are transformed – no longer like tiny debris of rock having little or no difference from another lost piece of sand, to something distinctive in taste, texture, and aroma.

It may be an odd analogy, but Jesus compared believers to salt for a reason.  Salt is a dietary mineral, used for flavoring and preservation – needed by all known living creatures.  If abused, it can be harmful.  However, it is also detrimental to have no salt intake because it regulates the water content in our bodies.  Jesus used salt to describe how Christians are needed to bring balance and hope to an otherwise dying world.

The question He asked however is, “What good is salt if it has lost its flavor?”  In other words, if a Christian has lost his or her gusto and fervor, then what’s the difference between the old grain of sand they once were and the so-called salt they are now?  The answer:  very little.

Because of recent circumstances in my life, I pondered this scripture differently than I have before.  Trials can cause us to become weary if we’re not careful.  And just like salt can become diluted in water, Christians can become diluted (or altered) by their experiences.  For example, what we believed before a traumatic event is sometimes not the same as afterwards.  Why is that?  There could be many reasons, but the most common is depression, fatigue, self-doubt, and ultimately reservations about what we believed in to begin with.  And we have to clearly understand there is an enemy at work in these cases.  If we are the salt of the earth and it’s possible to lose our flavoring, then it’s no secret the Devil will do his best to make sure our effectiveness (our flavoring) isn’t what it used to be.  And if he had his way in every case, we’d have no flavoring left at all – returning to transparent grains of sand with no threat to him or his kingdom.

Jesus said, “Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?  Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another” (Mark 9:50).

Consider this:  the sea is full of salt but it is only extracted through the process of boiling (removing the water to retain the salt).  I don’t like the idea of going through fiery trials, but if that’s what it takes to recapture the “salt” in my life, then maybe I’m okay with that.  What I’ve learned is that God is not the destroyer in this life.  He said the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).  God is the “Restorer” of broken lives and broken hearts.

The boiling process will either prove or disprove the amount of salt contained in a substance.  In the same way, the trials of life will either prove our lives are flavored by God or they will reveal how much we truly lack.  Either way, if handled correctly, the end result can be beneficial.  For the one, their revelation of Jesus Christ and His grace and faithfulness will increase.  For the other, a realization of their small faith can push them to a deeper relationship with God because despite their lack, He remains faithful.  The only problem is:  God has left the “salt containers” (you and I) to decide.

“So dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad – for these trials make you partners with Christ (and what He went through), so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world” 1 Peter 4:12-13

I have learned I can’t always control the trials I face, but I am the keeper of my “salt.”  Will I be bitter or better?  Less seasoned or more flavorful?  Will I disappear into the background or stand out as an overcomer?  Because in the end, what good am I if I’ve lost my flavoring?

Dear Lord, help us to stay salty and maintain our flavor.  Strengthen us in times of trial and help us to remember and know that You are always there.  We love You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Casey Dacus
Graham, TX

I want to be healthy and think I look good so I exercise, eat things I don’t like, avoid food I love, take my daily fish oil, floss, use hair conditioner, do push-ups, and put on sun screen.   Despite my best efforts my skin is getting a speckled, stretched rubber band look, my muscles are going the wrong direction, my hair is gray, and instead of six pack abs mine look more like a six pack of Pillsbury biscuits.   As time passes however, I find I am less concerned for my “outside” looks and much more concerned with my “inside”.   Is your spirit and soul looking and longing for something?   Psalm 23 was written by King David in the context of his intimate and abiding relationship with the Father.  It is sharing the incredible wonder of our Father’s care for us and the transformation of our “inside” in this relationship.  Listen to a man known for his closeness to God’s heart, paraphrased slightly. 

"I lack nothing when God is given complete control and oversight of my life.  He provides for me such that I do not wonder or worry for my day to day needs.   His provision is so complete that I am at peace with who I am.  Not only does He provide for me but He watches and guides me on my journey sending me along ways that are best for me all the while showing His power and splendor in my life.   He is with me and fights for me against Satan himself and I can rest assured that He is there.  No matter what Satan may hurl at me is no match for my Lord’s strength and guaranteed victory through Christ.  Understanding and experiencing this peace and protection gives me great comfort even in the middle of the worst storm.   And best of all and most difficult to believe, as I abide in this relationship with my Father He comes to me. He provides a spiritual feast where the Lord Himself through His Holy Spirit is feeding me daily with delicacies of wisdom and peace hard to imagine.  Not just once but my entire life He pursues me with goodness, mercy, and love in wave after wave.   How incredible that our Father would do that when I should be on my face before Him begging for mercy and forgiveness.  The Maker of Heaven and Earth is serving me!  I can’t fathom it.  Yet it is true and with this realization everything changes.  I never want to leave His presence.   He is real.  God is with me.  God is for me.  I am not alone."

Can you trust enough to accept something so amazing and incredible?  It is a transforming discovery and passage of our faith that this is real.  This is not theory, make believe, too good to be true, or “I hope it’s true” living.   Whether you are at the peak of joy and happiness or in the depths of suffering grasping this secret moves you to a new dimension of life and relationship with God.  It is the abundant life.  I lack nothing and I fear nothing when I dwell with Him.  My heart, the most vulnerable, protected, guarded part of my being trusts in the only true God and He will not disappoint or fail me.  I depend on You Lord completely, without reservation or doubt.  As long as I am with You I do not care where I go. 

The greatest challenge for you and me is our complete acceptance of the reality of God and His salvation of us.  It is there offered fully and freely.  We must believe it and accept it to receive the reward, but this kind of belief is so hard for us.  Jesus knew the great battle waged for our hearts and said “the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.”(Matthew 7)   He also said “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me. Those who win the victory will sit with me on my throne in the same way that I won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3).  

Open the door and take the narrow, unmarked path to a life you cannot fathom.   

Psalm 23(NIV) A psalm of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

 ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

 ³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths

   for his name’s sake.

⁴ Even though I walk

   through the darkest valley
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.

 ⁵ You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
   forever.

Amen

Scotty Elston
Shallowater, Texas

The Better Wolf

You may have heard the Cherokee legend about a grandfather and the advice he gives his grandson.  The legend goes something like this:
A Cherokee tells his grandson about a fight that is going on inside himself.  He said it is between two wolves.
One is evil: Anger, envy, sorrow, regret, fearful thinking, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.
The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The Cherokee simply replied, "The one I feed."

I was recently reminded of this legend the other day as I was on a road trip with my family.  That morning as we were trying to leave, my husband had acted in a brusque manner… “Business Mode” we call it.  You know, how we can sometimes get when we are in a hurry to accomplish a list of things to do, there are three small children to wrangle, and wintry road conditions that would keep most people at home?  In the midst of “stewing” over my hurt feelings, our five-year-old, Leif asks a question.  One of those questions that make a parent dig deep and pray for the right answer.  As I am racking my brain for the right words, Jeff answers our son with a word picture pulled from his favorite Pixar movie, a verse from the Bible and finishes off with encouragement that spoke to our son’s heart.  I looked back at Leif and saw a satisfied grin spread across his face.  

“Wow!” I thought…what a turn of events.  In a few seconds I went from feeling anger toward my husband to being so proud I could cry.  I decided to trade my dung-colored glasses for rose-colored ones and view my husband in a positive way.  This decision changed the course of the day and the more I thought on the good things God had done through Jeff over the preceding week, the better I felt.  

Luke 6:45A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.It is easy for us all to “feed” the evil wolf when it comes to our relationships and even to ourselves.  We can tally up wrongs committed, ugly words exchanged or annoyances to where all we see is the bad in another person.  We can do this with our children, spouse, friend, co-worker, boss, or our brothers and sisters in Christ.  “Majoring on the Minors” can keep us from seeing the world and those around us as God intended.  However, dwelling on the good can transform everyone and everything we see.

I like how the Easy-To-Read version of Romans 12:14-15 simply states it,
The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them.  The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear.  The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children.

Prayer:  Abba Father, You are wonderful and gracious.  Thank you for all the good things that are happening around me.  Thank you for the way you grow my husband and my kids…and I thank you for letting me see this!  Help me, like Mary to store up the “goods” in my heart.  Help me to have eyes to see the blessings, and let me have a heart that is led by your Spirit.  I love you.  Amen.

Dana Jaworski
Anchor Point, AK