Team Building

 Phillipians 2: Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

Companies often use obstacle courses for teambuilding. Using the word obstacle in a different sense, there are three that get in the way of building a reciprocal environment within a team.

Obstacle 1 – Selfish ambition.  If it is all about the individual, team is no where to be found. Even in an “individual sport” like Track and Field, there needs to be less emphasis on the individual and more on your teammates.  In fact, I think it is even more critical in Track and Field.

How does one do that?  Start with encouraging others, showing genuine interest in other teammates and their events and by building a rapport of encouragement. You will find a natural team-oriented synergy taking place within the team as you look away from yourself and toward others. “…in humility value others above yourselves…”

Obstacle 2 – Vain conceit.  Self-absorption and vanity is unhealthy for a team but “Conceited Vanity” is doubling down.  What good is one’s loathsome pride going to do to bring a team together?  Yes, one might be exceptionally talented in their event but if it results in vanity and conceit, it will destroy and not build up.  Jesus offered an example that is unmatched and will forever serve as the epitome of humility.  The One who created all of this earth and what is in it, along with this vast universe, made himself to be nothing and became a servant to that which He has created.

 “rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness”.

Obstacle 3 –  Not Caring.  If one desires to be a servant amongst one’s peers, it means looking at life from their perspective.  It involves “tenderness and compassion”.  A true servant looks for opportunities to build others up.  It searches for ways to help others to be their best. 

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…” 

And, as the Apostle Paul has so clearly outlined for us, Jesus’ mindset focused on others in a way that demonstrates sincere empathy of heart and a desire to give of yourself so that others benefit.  Out of such a mindset, teams are built and strengthened to the utmost of the team’s potential.

Let me pray with you. “Father, we thank you for Jesus who, in humility, demonstrated to us a love that led him to the Cross. We know that there is no greater demonstration of love than to lay down one’s life for another. As we approach a day that commemorates your Son’s sacrifice for all of humanity, we look inward knowing that we are unworthy of your forgiveness but for your mercy and grace.

Help us to take up the mindset of Christ Jesus looking to encourage others rather than exalting self. May your presence in our hearts be a catalyst for building others up in the Body of Christ. ” Amen