Teamwork is the essential element of every successful organization, business, church, and sports team. God highly recommends it; in fact, teamwork was part of Jesus’ strategy to accomplish his mission on earth.

In Mark 6:7, we learn that Jesus sent out his disciples two by two to do ministry. He did not expect them to do it alone. The author of Ecclesiastes says, “Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, Good News Translation). In the same way, congregations cannot succeed in ministry unless their members are part of the team.

The dictionary defines teamwork as, “The combined effective action of a group or team to achieve a common goal (vision).” My definition of church teamwork is simple: a group of people who believe in God and in each other. When members of a football team play together and believe in each other, they win championships. In the same way, congregations who work together and believe in each other are also successful.

Teamwork is not new. Through Jesus, God has given us this strategic key element for success in ministry. And if it worked for the early churches, it can also work for yours.

One of the major problems many congregations have in achieving a common goal is finding people who fit the team. Well-known baseball coach Casey Stengel once said: “It’s easy to get good players. It’s getting them to play together that’s the hard part!”

Pastor Ron Edmondson, church leader and church planter, has identified eight characteristics of people who don’t fit well in a team:

1. They resist every change suggested. They are the first to say, “It wouldn’t work”; and most of the time they oppose change without a valid reason.
2. They are negative about everything. They fail to see the good in the place, in their leaders, in ideas presented, and in life.
3. They always have an excuse and find someone else to blame.
4. They never have a solution but are masters of pointing out problems; their job is to tear down, not to build.
5. They have the tendency to hold their opinion until after something goes wrong and then make sure everyone knows they were opposed to the idea.
6. Instead of going to the source, they love to talk behind people’s backs to create more drama. They also enjoy talking behind the leader’s back but speak pleasantly in their presence.
7. They refuse to participate in any team social activities, afraid of getting to know and be known by members of the team.
8. They don’t buy into the vision but work against it and have a vision of their own.

We find people like this in many congregations, and they make it difficult to build a successful team or a growing, caring church.

On the other hand, successful team members don’t wait for assignments. They volunteer their time, talent, and treasure and help create an environment of love within the congregation. They assist in the ministry of reconciliation as well as comforting, encouraging, and edifying other members of the body of Christ.

Congregations need to understand the essential role teamwork plays in successful parish ministry. Jesus knew it would help advance his Kingdom, which is why he incorporated this principle into his strategic ministry.

What part of the team has God called you to play, and how can you use your talent to help your church team succeed?