My friend and I sat down together on my back porch. We had a situation that created some serious tension, mostly on my part. I was angry. I didn’t agree with what happened and was really struggling with it. Gratefully, both of believe in fighting for relationship and being in unity with each other. I’m so grateful that during our conversation on the back porch we were able to navigate, what could have been a mountain, a hard discussion in a very respectful loving way. Praise the Lord, that by the end of the conversation we were able to walk away relationally intact and with a unity for the future.
Jesus prays a prayer in John, that we would be one as He and the Father are one. In any church staff, teamwork and unity play an essential role in achieving our shared goals. This absolutely applies to a disciple-making culture, where individuals work together to follow, be changed, and be on mission with Christ. Without unity, the disciple-making process becomes difficult, and the Church’s overall impact is diminished.
First, team unity is vital for creating a sense of belonging. When individuals come together to achieve a common goal, they form a sense of identity within the group. In a disciple-making culture, team unity is crucial for creating a community of believers that work together to fulfill the Great Commission. Without a sense of belonging and purpose, individuals may feel isolated and disengaged from the community, which can hinder their growth and development in faith.
Second, team unity also fosters a culture of accountability and encouragement. When individuals work together, they hold each other accountable for their actions and decisions. In a disciple-making culture, this means holding each other accountable for personal spiritual growth, discipleship, and the overall health and well-being of the church. Team unity provides a platform for individuals to encourage and support one another, especially during challenging times. This support and encouragement can help individuals overcome obstacles, grow in faith, and remain committed to the shared vision and mission of the church.
Third, Team unity is critical for effective collaboration and communication. When individuals work together, they bring different perspectives, experiences, and skills to the table. This diversity of thought and expertise can be leveraged to create innovative and impactful strategies for disciple-making. Effective collaboration and communication require us, in relationship, to work together seamlessly, understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and respect each other’s opinions and ideas. In a disciple-making culture, individuals face many challenges, such as resistance from non-believers, apathy within the church, and personal struggles. However, when individuals work together as a team, they can draw on each other’s strengths and support to overcome these challenges.
Fourth, team unity provides a sense of resilience and determination, which can be essential in maintaining momentum and focus when faced with setbacks or obstacles. I think about my conversation on the porch with my friend. That hard conversation created a resilience and determination in our relationship. We created a unity that helps create a strength in the greater church culture. Individually we walked out what we hope to have in the church family. We want to build strong resilient relationships that do not quit when things get hard.
Finally, team unity is crucial for creating a sustainable disciple-making culture. In the long run, sustainable disciple-making requires a committed and engaged team who are passionate about their faith and mission. Team unity plays an essential role in creating and maintaining this type of church. By fostering a sense of belonging, accountability, collaboration, and resilience, team unity helps to create a culture of commitment, where individuals are willing to invest time, energy, and resources into the disciple-making process. Team unity is essential for a disciple-making culture to be successful.
This post originally appeared at: Relational Grit Leads to Unity | Relational Discipleship Network (rdn1.com)