You Vs. Team

One of the primary differences between Old Covenant Ministry and New Covenant Ministry is a move away from the "one man show". Old Testament heroes appeared, did great exploits for God and everyone around them stood in awe. In the New Testament we see a new paradigm emerge. We see it especially clear after Pentecost. The single hero image disappears and we see TEAM function. In team there is a dependence upon one another and a valuing of one another that is critical to success. There is a learning curve involved in team function. There is also a humility and mutual submission that some find difficult to embrace. Is it possible to remain a loner and experience success as a "Lone Ranger"? Absolutely! There is no question, a person who is called and gifted can accomplish much without ever being connected to others in the Body of Christ in a functional way. The outcome of such independence is:

1. Pride and self-promotion - It's hard to walk in humility in the shadow of your own statue.

2. Mistakes - You will make mistakes without the input of the diversity around you.

3. Loneliness - When you are self-sufficient, others back away and withdraw from you.

4. Duplication without multiplication - You may have one or two who try to duplicate your
ministry. However, multiplication is impossible without diversity of input from TEAM.

5. When you die the ministry dies - When you are gone there are memories but no posterity.

6. Rebellion - You experience repetitive uprisings and rebellion among your followers. The
calling and giftings within them cries out to be used but there is no room for others on
your stage.

Today we need to reevaluate our philosophy and mode of operation. We need to repent of the pride that says, "I am so anointed that I can't afford to take time to train and disciple others". In truth, such thinking is counter-Christ thinking. Jesus said, "I will build my Church". We need to understand that at Pentecost Jesus released his Holy Spirit to build and empower a Body of believers, an army of ministries. It is our job to multiply what we have into them and release and oversee them.