Jesus Style Leadership 4 - Sent & TeamSample

Teams Come to an End

Leadership Lesson

Great teams still have tensions and will not last forever. Teams have their seasons.

Read Acts 15:36-41

Comment

Paul and Barnabas formed a great team. They pastored together in the church at Antioch and then headed off on a successful church-planting trip together. When they got back, they travelled to Jerusalem to sort out whether the new Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised. They would even swap leadership of their team depending on the situation. But finally, the different leadership approaches of Barnabas and Paul caused so much friction that the team split up. Paul, who was focused on effective mission, felt that they couldn’t risk taking John Mark on their second mission. He had abandoned their first mission team and Paul didn’t want to take the risk again. Barnabas, who was focused on developing leaders, felt that it was important to give John Mark another chance if he was to grow. Their disagreement was so “sharp” that they separated and formed two teams. The split was painful, but it actually doubled the mission (15:39-40). Strong teams won’t last forever. New members will join the team, and this will change the dynamic. Team members will leave to start their own teams. Teams will continue to change. While this can be disappointing, it is necessary.

Prayer

Lord, I’m committed to my team and am praying and believing that you will forge us into a powerful team centred around your will and heart. I want to be part of that. I want to serve you with my friends. But I also recognise that you may not have me in this team forever. May I not give up when it gets tough, but may I also not hang on too long when you are calling me to step out.

Personal Reflection

Who was right in the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas? This Scripture acknowledges the division but makes no judgment, so we can’t be completely sure. But 2 Tim. 4:11 and Phile. 24 give clues. Would you have insisted that John Mark be on your team? Why or why not?