“Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other” (Romans 12:5 GW).
The USA Men’s Olympic Basketball team seems destined for a gold medal in London in 2012, but nothing should be taken for granted. The one thing that we’ve learned is that just sending a bunch of NBA stars to the Olympics isn’t enough to guarantee a gold. They actually have to play as a team in order to win.
After the 2004 team lost to Argentina, Sports Illustrated reported: “The Americans won’t be the Olympic basketball champions for the first time since 1988, beaten by an Argentine team that lacks stars but simply knows how to play together better” (“End of An Era,” Sports Illustrated, August 27, 2004).
In basketball it seems that team trumps talent. It’s no longer enough to just have the most talented players. They have to be able to play together. They have to be willing to humbly play a team role. They must learn to rely on each other.
It’s not just America’s basketball program that needs to learn this lesson about the importance of teamwork. It’s American Christians and American churches too.
Following Christ isn’t an individual “sport” either. Sure, we come to Christ individually. No one can make the decision to follow for us. Each one must decide for themselves. But coming, we join His band of disciples. We become a member of Christ’s body.
If we want to truly follow Christ and answer His call, then we will join His team. We will discover our Spiritual gifts and offer them to fulfill our unique role in His church. We will serve and give, humbly and sacrificially. We will network with other churches and organizations. We will be willing to become a team, connected by the Spirit of Christ in us.