MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
Fighting the Urge to Go It Alone
by Jim Buchan
You also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. (2 Cor 1:11)
We Are the Champions
Michael Jordan was a sensational basketball player even in his first few years in the NBA. It was not uncommon for him to score 50 points or more in a game, and he quickly became well known for his dazzling acrobatics. In 1985 he was voted the NBA Rookie of the Year, and beginning in 1987 he was the top scorer in the league for seven consecutive seasons, averaging a remarkable 37.1 points per game that year.
There was only one problem: Although Michael achieved personal stardom, his team was never able to win a championship in those early seasons. In one game Michael even scored an incredible 64 points—but his team lost anyway.
Is it really much of an accomplishment to be a superstar on a losing team? Michael had to learn to direct his sensational abilities toward helping his team win, rather than merely scoring a lot of points himself. When he began devoting himself to teamwork, helping each of his teammates reach their full potential, the results were dramatic. Michael led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships.
I used to think that teamwork was basically for sissies—those too weak to do it themselves. “Lean on Me,” I joked with my friends, was a song for co-dependents. True Christians relied only on the Lord. Leaders who asked for prayer or sought help from others were making an unacceptable acknowledgment of weakness.
However, Paul unashamedly acknowledged that other people had helped him with their love, encouragement, prayers, and financial support. He considered the Corinthians not his audience but his fellow workers. Like Michael Jordan, Paul was so gifted that he undoubtedly was tempted to “go it alone” and achieve great things without the assistance of others. But both Paul and Michael learned that working together with others is the key to maximum success.
A One-Man Band?
When my wife and I visited Europe in 1984, we encountered an odd spectacle in Amsterdam—a one-man band. If you’ve never seen one, the scene looked like this: A disheveled young man was sitting in the middle of the sidewalk atop a bass drum. He held a guitar in his hands, and a cymbal was attached to each knee so he could crash them together at appropriate moments. Around his neck was a harmonica holder, and to his side lay an accordion and a trumpet, ready to be incorporated into his act.
You may wonder how this unique musical ensemble sounded. In a word: terrible! He played a lot of instruments, but each one was played in a mediocre way. His lackluster singing and guitar playing fared only slightly better than his pathetic attempts to play the harmonica, accordion, trumpet, and drum. The young man did manage to draw a crowd for a while, but it would be my guess that the spectators were attracted more by his novelty than by his skill.
What can we learn from the efforts of the one-man band? Sadly, many churches are not all that much different. One overworked man or woman is often trying singlehandedly to do nearly all the ministering. The pastor is expected to be not only the preacher, but also the administrator, counselor, fundraiser, teacher, evangelist, miracle-worker, and sometimes even the janitor and plumber. Behold, the one-man band! Trying to do everything, such a person often fails to excel at anything.
God wants the one-man band to become an endangered species! The body of Christ was designed to be a living organism in which each member functions and contributes. “Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many,” Paul says (1 Cor 12:14). Rather than the church being dependent on the gifts of one minister, Paul assures the Ephesians that the church will be built up when “each part is working properly” (Eph 4:15-16).
For the body of Christ to be healthy and growing, each member needs to be equipped to function in some form of ministry. A one-man band simply will not suffice. We do need gifted men and women to serve as “band leaders” who provide direction and training for the members of the band. Yet these leaders are called to equip the band, not to replace it.
Is there hope for a leader who feels stuck in the one-man band mode? Yes, indeed! I once was involved in a college fellowship group in which I was the worship leader, Bible teacher, counselor, announcement-giver, administrator, social chairman—and just about anything else that was needed. Fortunately, as the months went by, I found myself increasingly surrounded by others who could take over most of these functions so I could focus on the areas of my strongest gifts.
Not only did the Lord provide others to relieve me of unnecessary responsibilities, but the people he provided were gifted to do a far better job than I had been doing. Although I was pretty good at lots of things, I hadn’t excelled at anything. I was a “jack-of-all-ministries,” but the master of none.
When I discovered the joy of pursuing my true calling, it made me feel sorry for the poor fellow trying to make it as a one-man band. He probably could have been really good at one or two of the instruments if only he had the wisdom to concentrate his efforts. But the good news is this: Those of us in ministry can avoid the sad plight of the one-man band.
God is after the harmonious melody that only a multi-pieced orchestra can produce. However, this is possible only when we abandon our one-man-band ego trips and learn the principle of teamwork.
From Walking the Leadership Highway—Without Becoming Roadkill by Jim Buchan.
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