Teamwork

Well, here we are; football season is upon us. Most teams have learned to work around the threat of COVID-19 or Delta viral infection—some more than others. Kudos to those requiring strict adherence to established protocols of safety; team members as well as spectators. You will notice that teams also are deeply invested in teamwork; even when the team loses, there is strong evidence of teamwork.

Teamwork is really a form of trust. It’s what happens when you surrender the mistaken idea that you can go it alone and realize that you won’t achieve your individual goals without the support of your colleagues.
— Pat Summitt, basketball coach

Isn’t it interesting that often the people most vocal about supporting “their” team, are the people who tend not to exemplify “teamwork” in many their daily doings? Me first, my way, my freedom, often overshadow solid interpersonal relations. It is rather odd that such attitudes show up in some team venues. Almost anyone who enjoys playing on a team, in an orchestra, or a band knows the joy, fellowship, and satisfaction of such a shared experience.

I know the joy that comes from playing in a band—high school band, dance band, college band, and now, the Altar Egos Bluegrass band in our church….and, in my early days—the choir at Deepstep Methodist Church (uhhh not to be compared with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir). I never became an accomplished musician; I am supremely grateful for fellow band members who always allowed me to join in with them. Many are often helpful, and none harsh or critical—exemplary Teamwork!

In the years following WWII, industries far and wide learned the value of teamwork from W. Edwards Deming. His focus on teamwork eventually brought into sharp focus quality improvement; virtually transforming workplaces and production the world over. As in any team effort done well, excellence results.

Speaking of teamwork, this fall our church is re-starting the children’s choirs; We have some virtual (no pun intended) “wizards” in music and technology, who combine individual practice/performance using Zoom technology. Teamwork!—through the leaders and parent-student preparation and production.

Memories of past productions by children’s choirs tell of lots of joy, pleasure, and, well….uhhh forgiveness. We love it when the children sing, even if electronically enhanced. In many cases, it is the earliest learning of teamwork, both for the leaders and the children.

Writing about the hope of peace, the prophet Isaiah suggests a child as the icon, if not the prototype, of Peace. While children are not always the epitome of teamwork, they certainly give us hope and visions of what can be. Jesus taught his disciples to learn from children—a metaphor of the Kingdom of Heaven.

We human beings still have a lot to learn about teamwork—although Jesus did not mention teamwork. When He deployed the vanguard of the Kingdom of God, he dispatched his disciples in teams of two. And the New Testament bustles with references to the early church being launched by teams of two or more. And. A poplar quip in the vernacular, “There is no “I” in teamwork!”

The Apostle Paul summarized the essence of teamwork as he described the church as the Body of Christ. As he describes it, every part of the body has a specific assignment, but all work together for the common goal of helping the body (the team). There is real joy when the body has great teamwork!