Blog 38: Same Team. Different Roles

1 Corinthians 12:12 "The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.”

Is it me, or does it feel like everything is becoming more and more divisive? People who are supposed to be working together are opposing and attacking each other. People on their jobs are battling against other departments. People in the same political party are tearing each other down. People in ministry are criticizing other denominations and leaders.

Some of this stems from jealousy. Some from self-preservation. Some even from bitterness. Somewhere along the way, correction has turned into criticism, and collaboration has turned into competition. And if we are not careful, we start treating people like what they bring to the table is not as important as what we bring.

It actually reminds me of playing basketball. When a loose ball hits the floor and everybody goes after it, you will hear someone yell, “same team!” so you do not collide, knock each other over, or end up hurting your own teammate in the process. In that moment, everybody is moving fast, everybody wants the ball, and if you are not paying attention, you can end up working against the very people you are supposed to be working with. That is what a lot of this looks like right now.

We are all going after something. Impact. Influence. Outcomes. And regardless of whether we’re talking about career, church or community, we must acknowledge the variety of gifts, skillsets and experiences needed to move a vision forward.

The problem is not that we are different. The problem is that we don’t recognize who is on our team. We start acting like we are on different teams. With different visions and different goals. We then glorify certain skills and minimize others.

There have been several times in my career that my team was short, even now in my current job. The short version is, even as the Chief Finance and Administration Officer, I have had to roll up my sleeves and get back into the weeds, including doing some entry-level accounting work. At my level, there are some things I should not have to do, some things I no longer want to do, and some things I have actually forgotten or do not know how to do, like running a simple report from an old system. While painful, the silver lining is a reminder of the importance of every person and level within the organization. Oh, how I miss having a staff accountant to keep the day to day a float!

As a leader, it's easy to underappreciate and become disconnected from the details that actually keep things moving. When you do step into the weeds, you realize quickly the importance of the role, no matter how seemingly small. 

The work may not always be visible, but it is always valuable. And we should be careful to not discredit and minimize the work of others.

The key scripture reminds us of this. Paul is writing to the church of Corinth, a church that was dealing with division, comparison, and people placing more value on certain gifts over others. People were aligning themselves with different leaders, elevating certain roles, and creating hierarchy where it was never intended. So Paul uses the analogy of the body to make it plain. Different roles. Different callings. Different ways of showing up. But still one body. Still one mission.

Now, if division was happening then, I guess we shouldn’t be shocked that we are still dealing with it. Ultimately, this is why Jesus was sent to fulfil the law and prophesies. Because as much as God gave instruction to His people, they continued to fall short. 

This is one reason I enjoy reading the Bible. Because it helps put what we encounter now into perspective. I saw a meme that said, “If Paul was still alive, we would be getting a letter” ...and I believe it.

We are all part of one body: Different function, same body. And contrary to how many of us think, sometimes the parts that seem the weakest or least important are actually the most necessary.

So what does this mean?

• Is the person who does the data entry on your job less important than the person who leads the strategic conversation? 

• Is the person who shares information on a podcast less important than the person who attends a protest rally? 

• Is the person who teaches Bible study less important than the person who preaches on Sunday?

If we are honest, some of us would say yes. Based on visibility. Based on influence. Based on what we think matters more. But scripture says otherwise.

As we think about our roles in the Kingdom of God and in making disciples, we need all of everyone! We need women and we need men. We need young people, and we need elders. We need preachers and teachers and missionaries and podcasters and advocates and...should I go on?

Being on the same team requires more than proximity. It requires humility. It requires trust. And it requires a willingness to value what others bring, even when it looks different from what we do.

At the end of the day, this is not just about roles or functions. It is about how we operate within those roles.

Right after 1 Corinthians 12, Paul goes on to talk about love. He reminds us that we can do all the things, but if it is not done in love, it means nothing. That faith, hope, and love will remain, but the greatest of these is love.

That means how we speak to people, how we support others, and even how we disagree should reflect love.

If love is the goal, then the question is not just what role you play. It is how you show up in it.

We are on the same team. We just have different roles!

Stay faithful | Stay disciplined | Stay aligned

Live Blurred,

ZeNai

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Reflection

• Have I ever placed more value on someone’s role based on visibility or influence rather than impact?

  
  

• Am I operating in my role with a mindset of collaboration or competition?

  
  

• Do my actions, words, and interactions actually reflect love, especially when I disagree with others?

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