VISION OF THE POSSIBLE- CHAPTER 3

Overview

Working in teams and team building are discussed.  The biblical aspect of team building and the inherent social need to share in such a difficult task is covered along with the stages of a team being built from the start.

Comments 

The concept of a team brings forth thoughts of warm images of togetherness and partners on the field as you watch the book of Acts unfold in your people group.  The reality is, as we all know, that statistics tell us one of the top reasons for leaving the field is problems with co-workers or teammates.  What a sad statistic this is and how Satan must love these problems he sees amongst fellow missionaries.  We REALLY, REALLY need to encourage one another on our team even though we may live 10-15 hours apart.  Phone calls and emails can mean a lot(something I need to be doing more of to my teammates). I understand and agree with his assertion that teams are biblical as there is ample evidence of this in the Bible but I also understand organizational limitations to not send 2 or more families to small population people groups.  Workers are few and the job is large to reach all people groups.  Thus, our reliance must come with national partners.  This most likely will be more difficult and maybe not as “comfortable” as with a fellow missionary from the states but is necesary and we have a decent chance of seeing quicker success if we can achieve these valuable relationships with national partners.  I don’t have a lot of field experience but I do have a few national partners that are helping me in my ministry here and have proven to be successful.  

His notation on the gifting of Barnabas and Paul and how they used their different gifts to spread the gospel and complement each other was noteworthy.  In our ministry, (not counting national partners) our team consists of my spouse and I and we are different and have been gifted by God differently.  We have seen in the states and more so here how our gifts complement each other and can be used by the Lord.  As Sinclair points out, we need others to help us mentally and spiritually and our spouse can and should do this but I believe a man/man or woman/woman accountability program is important.  This can be achieved in a team setting where families live close by but not always depending on the personalities involved.  In a perfect team setting it is happening but in the real world where there are actually teams living in close proximity, I imagine it is still not happening a lot of the time.  Unless one can find a good, open and trusting relationship with a national, email and phone accountability partners with a team member from a distance probably is an answer although it is not easy to do.  On a personal note, I will say I am proud to serve with my fellow team members and cherish the relationships we have built over the last several years and continue to have even though we are scattered in various locations across Mexico.