By George Keralis

Painting with broad strokes, he does not concern himself with sharp clear edges or the smooth appearance of his work.  Consequently, he leaves gaps that he may or may not fill in later.  In contrast, I paint with purposeful strokes taking my time to make sure things fit together perfectly.  My strokes are technically correct.  At times we trade places.  I paint with broad strokes and he with purposeful strokes.  However, neither of us sees this trade as comfortable nor do we desire to trade places for an extended period.

For the record, my friend and I are not painters.  He is a young energetic people-person that, at times, loves an extended quiet spell away from people.  In fact, he tells me that he tends to be more of an introvert.  Nevertheless his love for people drives him out of that sealed-off shell into the spotlight as a popular and beloved hospital chaplain.  One look at his disheveled desk gives you a clue that administrative duties may not be his first or second gift.  Details do not frustrate him, but he is more comfortable pondering and mapping out the bigger picture.  This does not mean that he will not do well with details, but details are not his first love.

Conversely, I am a somewhat worn retired preacher that can no longer keep up with thirty-year-olds.  Picking through the intricacies of language fascinates me.  Up at 4 AM digging through Scripture is the norm for my life.  Sermons and lessons take shape slowly as I piece ideas together like a multi-faceted colorful jigsaw puzzle.  Eventually, the big idea takes shape before my eyes, but developing that big idea requires much time and effort.  As my friend needs some quiet time away from people, I find myself looking for and being drawn to opportunities to be among people having spent hours alone with the text of Scripture.  At that point I’m ready to talk about details hoping that someone can help me brush out a big picture.

We work well together.  He is the lead chaplain, while I am one of several volunteer chaplains.  Together, we all work well as chaplains. We are a team.

Many times I stop by his office just to say hello only to find myself involved in a discussion about methodology, theology or a recent case that we worked together.  A one-minute “hell-o” turns into a thirty-minute conversation.  He comes from a Pentecostal background, me from a conservative Christian Church/Church of Christ.  He interprets Scripture from a literary critical analysis while I interpret Scripture from a historical critical approach.  As we talk, he paints in broad strokes and I in minutely detailed strokes.  At the end of the conversation we usually discover just how much we think alike on many subjects.  And if we do not agree, then we revisit the ideas after ruminating on them for a time.

The apostle Paul was correct when he said in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7,

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Paul describes the church as a team that successfully works together.  Many different gifts.  Many ways to serve.  Many deeds accomplished with much energy.  The same Spirit, the same Lord and the same God unite these three ideas.  The Trinity draws these gifts, services and accomplished deeds together for a common purpose for the common good of the church.  With diversity among its members the church, under the formative work of the Trinity, becomes a house of commonality.

Teams that strive to work well together accomplish much.  Teams that do not place a priority on working well together accomplish less than much.

Let’s transfer this idea.  Let’s transfer the concept of a church team from its box and place it into another box, the business world box.  What does this look like in the business world?

• Good team members understand that different members all exercise different gifts, talents or abilities.  It is the wise leader that brings people with differences together to form a network designed to carry out the purpose of the business.
• Good team members understand and practice the concept of playing to one another’s strengths instead of trying to develop their individual weaknesses into strengths so that everyone might be the same.  Every person on the team does not need to be strong in the same area.  A variety of strengths strategically placed within the team by good leadership guarantees more victories than losses for the team.
• Good team members recognize that some players are visionaries while others are managers.  Visionaries are not more talented than managers.  They are simply talented in a unique way that differs from that of managers.  Both are leaders in their respective field.  Too many books tend to imply that visionaries are the real leaders, while managers are just that, managers.  A visionary will never see her vision realized without an excellent manager to oversee the details.  Again, both are leaders in the respective field.
• Good team members do not compete with one another for top billing.  Their primary desire is to serve the team, not to be served as a superstar.  Without hesitation, the superstar should recognize his supportive teammates.
• Good team members elevate one another showing gratitude for one another’s strengths.  Good team members are aware of weaknesses but strive to talk about the strengths of fellow team members.
• Good team leaders work together to help the team members bring about a common goal for the business.  The business may be a service organization, or a not-for-profit organization.  The business may provide insight into technology challenges encountered in developing businesses.  In any case, each team member works as members on the team to bring about the purpose or goal of the business.

Increasingly we find that churches, organizations and communities experience attacks designed to drive wedges that split and separate them.  Mission and vision statements along with a list of core values become obsolete so long as the entity stands divided.

When the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of the demons (Matthew 12:24), He responded, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand” (Matthew 12:25).  Churches, organizations, businesses and communities must decide whether they will work well as a team or work in a divided chaotic atmosphere.  One approach is profitable while the other is destructive.

As iron sharpens an iron, so a friend sharpens a friend — Solomon