I recently came across a story about the success of John Wooden, the UCLA basketball coach who brought his team to ten national championships in the space of twelve years. For those of you who follow sports you know how difficult it is to win back-to-back finals, but Wooden led his Bruin team to seven titles in a row. All of that took hard practice, insightful coaching and superior play. Yet coach Wooden would say that none of those things were the most important. What mattered most for the Bruins was their coach’s commitment to teamwork. He is quoted as saying, “The guy who puts the ball through the hoop has ten hands.”Note 1
As we come to the end of our study of the letters to Timothy we realize that we have not been called to the task of leadership alone. We are part of the body of Christ and each one of us is to offer our gift of service so that it can be built up (Ephesians 4:12). We can never, ever say to another believer, “I don’t need you.” That would be as ridiculous as our head saying to our feet, “I don’t need you.” (1 Corinthians 12:21). We need one another for our Christian walk and leaders know that they can’t work alone.
The apostle Paul knew this and as he comes to the final verses of his letter to the young pastor he makes note of his “team”. It’s not unusual for Paul to mention those who support him in his letters. There is his faithful friend Luke who was by his side (4:11a). There is Mark, who “is helpful to him in his ministry.” (4:11b) There is also his old friends Priscilla and Aquila, not to mention the household of Onesiphorus (4:19) who “greatly refreshed him and was not ashamed of his chains” (1:16). If a basketball player knows that it takes 10 hands to put a ball in a hoop, Paul knew all the more that it takes a team to proclaim the truth of Christ. A leader works with others.
Interestingly, Paul not only mentions those who support him but also those who oppose him. He speaks of Demas who deserted him (4:10), Alexander the metalworker who did him a “great deal of harm” (4:14) and other nameless people who “deserted” him at his first defense (4:16). Of course we wouldn’t count these people as being part of Paul’s “team” and he warns Timothy to be “on his guard against” such people as Alexander (4:15).
I’m sure Paul made had many reasons for mentioning his opponents – but for me, it highlights the need for leaders to work together as a team. The wonderful collaboration Paul had with Luke, Mark, Priscilla, Aquila and all the rest is beautifully emphasized against the backdrop of those who stood against Paul and the truth of the gospel. Ultimately Paul’s confidence is in the Lord who will “rescue him from every evil attack” (4:18) but I can’t help but wonder if that confidence is encouraged, helped and strengthened by those who are part of his team.
So let me ask you, “How is your teamwork? Are you offering your abilities to the body of Christ so that it will be built up? Have you dismissed someone in the church, saying, “I don’t need you”?
And, “How is your teamwork in the face of opposition? Are you encouraging other leaders so that they are able to persevere, knowing that God is faithful and will bring us “safely to his heavenly kingdom”?
However we answer those questions, may God give us a spirit that understands that we are part of the body of Christ and as Christian leaders we need each other.
With thanksgiving for you,
Tom.
1. John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leaders Around You (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 213.