Choosing a Winning Apostolic Team - Part V
The Multiplication of Power in Team Spirit
by Dr. John Tetsola

Last month we saw how the “loner spirit” contributed to the house of Micah’s destruction because they “…had no relationship with anyone else…” (Jud. 18:28 NIV). A ministry, church, or relationship that stands apart from others is detrimental to its own success and vitality. While the Western culture with its aggressive, independent spirit and attitude make it difficult to embrace the team concept, the benefits of team spirit far outweigh the uselessness of isolation. Some battles will never be won apart from the multiplication of power found in the team spirit.

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Deuteronomy 32:30

Deuteronomy 32:30 reveals the smallest ratio of God’s multiplication power in a team. These blessings multiply when we practice the concept of team spirit. Isolation is a penalty. Convicted criminals are placed in solitary confinement as punishment. Why? Because God never created man to function alone. Years ago, I read an article on how geese maneuver by the strength of team spirit. According to the article, when geese fly in a V-formation, aeronautical engineers have discovered that the flapping of the wings of the birds in the front of the formation causes lift for the birds directly behind them. It increases the capacity of the birds to fly seventy-two percent farther. If a goose chose to fly alone, he could fly 100 miles without stopping. But if he partners with other geese flying in a V-formation, that goose can fly 172,000 miles using the same effort due to the lift created by the other birds. Researchers also discovered that the lead bird is encouraged by the honking of the other geese in the formation. This is a way the other birds cheer the lead bird to keep moving. Most Christians on teams honk at their leader, but not as a form of encouragement. Instead, theirs is the honking of complaint and displeasure. When a bird falls out of formation, two other birds drop out of formation and stay with the one bird until it either regains its strength to fly again, or it dies. If the weakened bird dies, the other two rejoin the original formation. This is a glimpse of the power of the team as displayed in nature.

The Principle of the Redwood Tree

Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor;

Ecclesiastes 4:9 AMP

Another great example of the multiplication of power in team spirit is displayed by the giant redwood forest in California. This tree grows to be 300 feet tall, about the same height as a thirty-story building. You’d think a tree that tall would have gigantic roots. The truth is, the redwood tree has a shallow root system. Its secret for survival and endurance is that it teams up with other redwood trees underground by knitting its root structure with other trees, holding them secure. This tree uses the principles of Ecclesiastes 4:9 which says that two are better than one because together they reap more satisfying rewards. That’s why you will never see a giant redwood tree growing alone, because they can only endure if they grow together and their root systems support one another. Nothing substantial ever survives without the power of the team spirit, so develop meaningful root structures with others. As your leader pioneers the way, keep the strength of the vision moving forward with the honking of cheer and encouragement, and witness the multiplication of power being released to all.