Doing Church as a Team 2006

This past Sunday Night we gathered for Team LFC - I shared once again our commitment to Doing Church as a Team and not only it's value, but the example Jesus set for us by sending people out in teams. Teams for our church is not a cool concept it has become a necessity. But more than that, it has become a way for people to use and release their gifts and talents while being filled in ways they did not realize possible. You see, Jesus shows up in the midst of servants. We realize that Jesus is found, not in the palace or the cathedral but He is found amongst those who are blessing and serving others. He modeled servanthood for us and the team concept. In today's daily bible reading we see a verse I used with our team this past Sunday night. Would you read it and allow it to speak to your heart?
Luke 10:1 & 2After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (NIV)
As the Lord moves into ministry the first thing He does is send people out in teams.
The Lord had a plan for the ministry ahead - we learn from Him this powerful principle that planning is essential to being effective in ministry and in the Harvest. Notice the Lord sent them to places He was about to go into. No doubt they prayed for favor and grace, no doubt there were things to set up and people to connect with, ahead of time. Of course this labor was made easier and more effective by the fact their were teams of two.
We are called to serve together. Like paddlers in a canoe rowing in one accord, so we as a Church are called to dip our God-given paddles into the waters that God has called us to and by His power move our hearts toward Him and our service before Him and unto our community.
The Harvest Field Needs to be Reached and will only be Reached by a Planned, Concerted Effort of Teams. The concept of a team of paddlers captures our hearts because of its significance for how we are to “do” this thing called Church. Jesus modeled it for us - in teams is the best way to do church. When I hear the cry of the Lord's heart in this passage, it as though He is speaking right to me - Bernie, lead your church to the Harvest, go after the Harvest, see where I am working, see where I am touching and go and Harvest. I am so proud of all of the things Lompoc Foursquare Church has done and our outreaches this past year. There is more to do and we will do all for the Lord and for the Harvest He has called us to and we will do it best in teams.
Are you in a team? Are you using your gifts and talents for the Lord? Are you moving beyond your fear and comfort zone and being stretched to serve, release and give like never before? I pray that you will find a place to serve. You can always contact us, see a current team member, shadow with another team and learn. God has much for us to do and it includes you too. Someone said, "it sure looks like you guys have all the help you need." I responded with the truth. We do not and some of our team members are weary and could use a break and an extra hand. Will you come and find your place and assist us.?
Together as we share the load, so much more will be accomplished. As you read another portion of today's bible reading you will catch the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. I believe it is placed here for us to catch the purpose and heart of teams and how with love, compassion and service the Harvest is reached. I see this passage in the context of Harvest!
Luke 10: 30 - 35In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" (NIV)
As a team, let us go and touch the hurting, the beat down and broken in our community. They may appear just fine on the outside, but look for God around them. Watch for His knocking at their heart and pray for them, serve them, bless them and win them for Jesus.
Let's go after the Harvest.