Team Spirit Works: When working with others it serves uswell to culti...

Team Spirit Works: When working with others it serves uswell to culti...: When working with others it serves us well to cultivate team spirit. This may be in a church, an organization, a corporation or in sport...

When working with others it serves us well to cultivate team spirit. This may be in a church, an organization, a corporation or in sports. It's worthy to note that team spirit begins by treating workers with respect. It is true that there are different positions at your work but all workers must be made to feel that their job is important and for the common good of their company. There will be definite goals depending on the nature of your work. If you happen to be in the field of journalism it may be, being "objective" when seeking the "truth" about a story. Before making decisions within the church, parishioners often pray for guidance by the Holy Spirit. These are only the beginnings of putting into place ethical leadership.

An English cricket commentator John Arlott (1914 – 1991) observed, “Cricket is a game of the most terrifying stresses with more luck about it than any other game I know. They call it a team game, but in fact it is the loneliest game of all.” What Arlott noted is true about cricket, but like with other responsibilities of any job, there's still the individual whose role it is to pull things together. On occasions a team member is isolated and often has to make independent decisions. All these have to be for the good of his team.

Workers must Listen to their Conscience

Call it conscience, Holy Spirit or God, workers must listen to that small voice that speaks in secret to them. He must be conscious of his values. Good values are compatible with the teachings of the Scriptures. Obtaining scriptural assurances or confirmation through a trusted colleague that will signal that you're on the right track are in order. A worker must listen carefully to these instructions, be slow to speak and always remember that he is important in his partnership with fellow workers. In church he must take direction from the "Evangelizer-in-Chief" – the priest or the Holy Spirit himself, before doing a task. Before taking a leap often a prayer to the Almighty God will be imperative. At all times he must have his finger on the pulse of his work place to see if his direction coincides with their mission. This is especially true when he is exercising a special kind of authority with his followers.

Edmund Burke (1729 -1797) an Anglo-Irish statesman and political philosopher saw, “Society is indeed a contract … it becomes a partnership not only between those that are living, but between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born.” Burke has definitely touched on the fact that we're in some way all interrelated - physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Knowing these relationships - although they may be beyond our awareness and comprehension, are about human values, and are meant to be for our growth and development.

Influence in Church

A believer must be spiritually enabled. In his church his aim must be the achievement of a high standard of spiritual growth. Many times the main responsibility falls on the parish priest who demonstrates superb leadership. But every adult member of the congregation ought to be groomed to shoulder this shared responsibility - a partnership based of the teaching of the Gospel. Whenever there is a major decision on the liturgy, it ought to be shared with the parish that must give their input. When undertaking projects, the leader of the parish committee will have to be sure that he is exercising legitimate power. This is when a leader will know how to accept wise counsel from senior members for the benefit of the parishioners. This process will inevitably be one way of a leader to enhance his status in his community.

Wassily Kandinsky (1866 – 1944) a Russian born painter and writer on art stated, “The force that propels the human spirit on the clear way forward and upward is the abstract spirit.” That is why within the church, before setting a project in motion it's wise to pray prior to making any decisions.  Throughout the entire process keep praying, for it is the Holy Spirit that sanctions and enlivens our work.

Spirit of Enthusiasm

An American philosopher, poet and a central figure of the Transcendentalist Movement Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882) remarked, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Jesus disciples were a handful of rough and generally unlearned men, but were gifted with a driving power to get the job done. Many Christians have come to be blessed by the comforting joy of evangelizing. It was remarkable how such a team spirit is gradually built and improved on. Mainly their task has been undertaken through faith and hope. Because it takes team spirit to minister effectively, this comes down to sharing your cares and dreams with the Lord. With believers there will continue to be debate and conflict but enthusiasm will drive all successful endeavors.