Teamwork and Togetherness

In a great weekend of sport there were, for me, two standout team performances.

In Saturday’s rugby the British and Irish Lions took on the Australian Wallabies. A 90,000-strong Melbourne crowd saw Australia take a 23-5 lead. The Lions fought their way back into the game to 26-24. Then, in the closing minutes, Hugo Keenan scored a try; the lions won 26-29.

Last night the English Lionesses played Spain in the European Championship finals. World champions Spain, the favourites, hadn’t lost in 10 games. Spain scored – 1-0; England were defending desperately. England got a goal back. 1-1 at full time. After extra time we finally won in the penalty shoot-out.

We saw excitement, courage and determination, two nail-biting finishes, and great demonstrations of teamwork and togetherness.

In this month’s ‘Premier Christianity Martin Saunders writes about church families: ‘There are churches worldwide where groups of people are drawn together… They love each other deeply and bear with one another’s burdens. They say sorry and use their different gifts to work together towards a greater glorious goal. Everyone matters and everyone is missed when they’re absent.’

Teamwork and togetherness not in the international arena but in the context of a local church…

Danny talked about Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my shepherd…’ The caring shepherd  provides his flock with all they need… leading, guiding, resting, encouraging… green pastures, still waters, dark valleys…  keeping the flock together.

Rugby and football teams achieve teamwork and togetherness through the leadership of managers and captains; the church family are kept together by good leaders – and the over-all good Shepherd-Captain.

‘He restores my soul…’ Danny referred to Paul’s words, ‘Brothers, if someone is caught in sin you who are spiritual should restore him gently… Carry each other’s burdens…’   

We have our responsibilities. As part of the team, I must, in my turn, enable and support other team members so that they too can be included – valued and valuable team members.