Relationship (Kingdom Teamwork)

Key: Build Kingdom Relationships for Kingdom purposes.

Build Kingdom Relationships (with God, self, and others) for a Kingdom purpose that is Upward, Inward, and Outward.

Our relationships power effective teamwork.

God created us for relationships because he, himself, lives in an everlasting relationship. Jesus once said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17 NIV). God has invited us to work with him. Our work is a tool that God uses for our transformation into the image of Christ. That transformation can only occur within a team. I believe that God created us for teamwork. Teamwork is relationships at work; strong teamwork is the best expression of relationships within an organizational setting. As such, the best way to live out our core value of relationships at work is to be a great team player. Strong teams are connected by relationships, which are the arteries and veins that circulate the lifeblood of love between team members. In other words, love is the lifeblood of the team and that love flows through strong healthy relationships. Strong teamwork is nourished by the lifeblood of love that is circulated through healthy relationships among team members.

Spirit-led teamwork in the early church
God created us in His image for fellowship with himself and each other. God is a team player. He invites us to join his team. The first-century physician, Luke, paints a beautiful picture of the fellowship (teamwork) of Spirit-led Christ-followers in his book, the Acts of the Apostles. Before showing us this paragon of teamwork (fellowship), the physician turned evangelist, historian and reporter, does a few things. He sets the scene showing us how perpetual prayer brought about an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the birthday of the church, the Day of Pentecost. First, Dr. Luke showed us how the Holy Spirit landed on the followers of Christ and empowered them with the ability to speak. Second, he showed us how the audience was cut to the heart by the same Holy Spirit, convicting them of their wrong. Third, Luke showed us how three thousand people became converted. Finally, he showed us how these Spirit-led believers fellowshipped on the heels of such an outpouring of the Spirit. Prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit are at the heart of all effective Christian teamwork.

The doctor wrote: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God, and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” This is a picture of Christian teamwork at play.

God wants us to be a unified community of servants with loving relationships permeating every facet of ministry life. Spirit-led life change happens best in this kind of team.

How does the core value relationship look like at work? We collaborate more. We leverage the talents of others inside and outside our team to do our best work.

One body, one team
We are all the body of Christ, and each one of us is a part of it. (cf: 1 Cor. 12: 27)
The apostle Paul used the metaphor of a body to describe the kind of team that we are in Christ and the connectedness and interdependence between us (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; cf. Rom 12:4-5). Paul’s discussion on this kind of teamwork in 1 Corinthians 12 preceded his description of the unconditional love that should characterize such a team in 1 Corinthians 13. We are one team (body) and each team member is an organ (e.g. the lungs, eyes, or heart). We are connected through good relationships that carry the lifeblood of love that sustains each part of the body. Just as a human being has a Spirit, the Holy Spirit is the spirit that leads us as a team. We have the mind of Christ to guide us as a team. Our relationships power teamwork between us.

Our relationships power effective teamwork. 

Behaviors under this core value:

1. Teamwork – is a team player. Encourages teamwork and unity within our team.
2. Living connected to the rest of our team and that connection drives collaborative work. Collaborates with other teams and individuals at work to advance the vision.
3. Speaks up: Has backbone; Disagrees and commits: Respectfully challenge decisions you disagree with even when doing so is uncomfortable and draining. They have conviction and are tenacious but humble. He doesn’t compromise standards for the sake of fitting in. However, once a decision is made, commits fully.
4. Building effective teams that are based on relationships.
5. Building trust-based relationships that promote teamwork and a positive family spirit. [See related article on building trust]
6. Actively works towards making the organization one team held together by strong, caring relationships.
7. Respecting our colleagues, customers, and consumers, and treat them as we want to be treated.
8. We have confidence in each other’s capabilities and intentions.
9. We believe that people work best when there is a foundation of trust.
10. We are emotionally smart (EQ), know how to read people, and are sensitive to others’ feelings.
11. Builds relationships on purpose; with a vision in mind; builds alliances and collaborate with other stakeholders to achieve a shared purpose. Treats team members like family.
12. Communicates openly and honestly to create trust. Uses closed-loop communication to avoid misunderstanding and conflicts and to create trust.
13. Loves neighbor as self.
14. Respects and Honors others; we embrace, support, and protect a culture of honor.
15. Values people; we care deeply and love unconditionally. Seeks to know and care about team members beyond the workplace.
16. Promotes unity.
17. Builds wise kingdom partnerships with other organizations.

**Building a strong trust-based relationship with God is necessary for building a strong trust-based relationship with his children. When a person abides well in God, he will be fruitful in his relationships with people.

Our relationship with Jesus, “in the closet,”(cf. Mat 6:6) shows up in and shapes our relationships with each other and the work we do. Our relationship with God, “in the closet,”(cf. Mat 6:6) drives everything.

Q: In what ways am I participating in promoting teamwork to help achieve organization goals?

Some Bible Verses

• “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 NKJV
• And He (Jesus) said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37–40 ESV
• “The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 NIV
• While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Mat 12: 46-50

 

Resources

• What does the Bible say about teamwork?
• Quotes on teamwork.
• Life Story: A helpful resource for building community through understanding each other’s life story. God is the author of each of our life stories.