Nehemiah, Leadership, Teamwork

I've been reading recently in the Old Testament about Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. That was a massive project that took some extreme efforts to accomplish. Obviously, everyone had to work cooperatively to make it happen. Nehemiah kept everyone focused in spite of hardship, opposition, and discouragement. The leaders (managers) at the various sections of the wall kept everyone working diligently. In chapter 3 of Nehemiah's book there are numerous expressions of how every group worked side-by-side with the neighboring group, all the way around the city wall, until the work was completed.

There are some obvious lessons for us today. Significant work requires teamwork. Groups of workers focusing on a common purpose, a goal. Businesses thrive on this idea. Politicians live or die by the dedication and support of their team. Suffice it to say, churches are no exception. The problem, however, is that far too often we (the church) become fractured, distracted, cross-purposed, and alienated from our fellow teammates. I'm afraid we'll never get anywhere without becoming a culture of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and mutual support. Jesus said as much. "By this will all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another."

For my way of thinking, Nehemiah was pretty harsh. But the wall probably wouldn't have been built without him. God puts the kind of leaders in place when and where he needs them. Whatever the case, however, we all need to pitch in and contribute according to our abilities.