Together we can accomplish amazing things

I have given a lot of thought this week to the idea of true teamwork. In a discussion of the gifts of the Spirit, an insightful friend drew an interesting analogy. She referenced this week’s "Dancing with the Stars" where Cristian de la Fuente performed with a very serious injury to his left arm [which needs surgery]. Despite the injury, he was able to do lifts in both dances he performed. The 2nd was at the end of the dance & she reported that it was spectacular ending with his partner, Cheryl Burke, upside down over his right arm. My friend pointed out that the key is the fact that Cristian didn't do the lift. He was merely the platform for her; his "gift" was his strength & steadiness that allowed her to use her gifting for dance perform the maneuver. Those who have a lot of dance or cheerleading or gymnastic experience will recognize what she did. My friend’s point is that, even though he had that injury that should have kept them from performing, together they used their gifts to accomplish an amazing thing. She then asked: Wouldn't it be wonderful if we in the Church could do the same?

Tonight I read Kevin’s blog from earlier this week wherein he summarized his past Sunday – the day his youngest daughter Caroline was baptized. I was privileged enough to be able to participate in the service by laying hands with the three other pastors and anointing her with oil after the baptism. As part of the service I, along with the entire congregation, vowed to nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include Caroline in our care, and surround her with a community of love and forgiveness. As members of the household of God, Caroline was entrusted to our love and care. We were instructed to do all in our power to increase her faith, confirm her hope and perfect her in love. And together we welcomed her in Christian love, renewed our covenant to participate faithfully in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service. Kevin commented that there should be some way to hold us accountable for these promises.

See paragraph one. If we all used our gifts together, what amazing things could be accomplished? If we step in to help out when another of us cannot perform at our peak, what spectacular things can be done?

During a LEGS [Let’s Enjoy God’s Spirit] discussion at church last night, one parent requested that when we see one of her sons misbehaving, that we step in and handle the situation. We discussed that sometimes parents are blinded to their children’s faults or are in denial about their behavior. (This is where Alicia would say that I do not suffer from this, as she thinks I always assume she is going to screw up.) We pointed out that often people don’t want to interfere, but that it is our responsibility to help nurture the children and youth of our church.

We are currently in a state of transition at our church. Our director of student ministries (children and youth) recently resigned. My background is in children and youth ministries, so I have been involved in programming the last few weeks. We are in the process of developing children and youth councils – groups of adults that can help plan, teach – nurture and love. Even before the departure of the director, we have been reminding the congregation that we all are needed to help raise these children. Tim has asked “Who will come forward and _____ for this child?” That blank could be pray, teach, keep nursery, volunteer at events. And now several people are stepping forward to make sure these children and youth do not fall through the cracks.

Thanks Kevin for reminding me that parents rely on the vows we make to their child. It takes a little teamwork to help guide these children on their spiritual journey. It takes being there when the parents are tired or distracted or just need an extra hand. We are to steer their children in the right direction, challenge them, nurture them and love them, support them. Do not let them down. Together, we can help these children accomplish amazing things.