The Church coming together as a coordinated whole will take more than good intentions or striving on our part. It begins by being motivated by our love for God but must also include love for one another.
Most people find it hard to work together in unity and harmony with people they don’t love. Even human love and affection tends to make people more cooperative with each other. But, we aren’t just talking about a friendship sort of love being able to bring coordination to a church full of diversity with multi-faceted ministries and volunteers. People with different philosophies, perspectives, and preferences need something that cements them together that is beyond them or they’ll soon fracture, with this person off doing their thing, that one doing their thing, etc.
God’s love (agape) provides the means of coming together with all of our differences as a coordinated whole.
The Means of Coordination in the Church: Love
1) Love founded on our union “with Christ”
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Phil. 2:1-4)
so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Rom. 12:5)
2) Love formed “from Him” holding us together
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:15-16)
The coordination lesson for leaders:
Promote a purpose that is high enough to make people want to come together in harmony and cooperation. Only God’s love is selfless and sacrificial enough to cause us to look toward the good of others.
Also read: Leadership Skill: Coordination
Please Note: You’ll find the content on this page in the Steering the Church Toward God’s Purposes Leadership Guide which also looks at 24 other leadership tasks or responsibilities in light of our church purpose to love God and people.
All Posts about Coordination:
- Motivation for Coordination
- Means of Coordination
- Coordination Integral to God’s Design
- Coordination Governed by the Great Commission
- Coordination Showcases Christ
- Coordination in Submission to Christ
- Coordination in the Church is Possible
- Coordination Founded Upon the Gospel
- Grace to Hurdle Obstacles to Coordination
- Holy Spirit Essential to Coordination
- Spiritual Gifts Useful to Coordination
- Motivational Effect of His Name to Coordination
- Does Your Church Function as a Coordinated Whole?
- Jesus’ Resurrection Takes Coordination to New Heights
- Jesus’ Resurrection Provides the Keys to Coordination