Romans 8:37 – Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Have you ever played a team sport or perhaps are a fan of one?  I love football. I grew up watching football, my kids played football and I still watch football every week during the season whenever possible. If you played on a team or are a knowledgeable fan of a sport, you can quickly identify the characteristics or qualities necessary for a team to be successful.

• They Have Unity
• They Are Properly Equipped
• They Have A Clear Vision
• They Respect Their Coach
• They Know How to Finish

As with a sports team, I believe these characteristics are necessary for the success of the body of Christ when accomplishing the mission given to us by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20).  Each one is vital to the mission of the church. If any one of these characteristics is missing or under emphasized, the impact upon the health of the church can be crippling. In the next few days, let us reflect on these qualities and examine our own lives and the church team we are a part of.

Reflection:

• Do you agree the above characteristics are critical to the success of the church? Why or why not?
• Which one(s) do you believe to be most important?
• Are these characteristics prevalent in your church? Are any missing or under emphasized? If so, which ones?