How can we apply the teamwork seen in Acts 13:5 to our ministry? A Snapshot of Teamwork “ ‘When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. And John was with them as their helper.’ ” (Acts 13:5) Paul and Barnabas step onto the island of Cyprus with a clear plan: preach in the synagogues. Yet Luke deliberately mentions John Mark, not as a preacher but “as their helper.” Three servants, distinct roles, one mission. Key Observations • Shared mission—“they proclaimed the word of God.” • Distinct roles—Paul and Barnabas lead the preaching; John assists. • Immediate deployment—teamwork begins the moment they land, not later. Principles for Ministry Today • Unity of purpose keeps diverse gifts moving in the same direction. • No role is insignificant; helpers make frontline ministry possible (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:18). • Mentoring occurs on the move—John learns by serving alongside seasoned leaders. Practical Steps for Your Team Identify roles clearly • Preachers, hosts, tech crews, prayer partners—name each responsibility. • “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Clarity honors that order. Pair experience with emerging gifts • Invite younger believers to shadow seasoned workers. • Like John Mark, they gain firsthand training and confidence. Share the load visibly • Rotate speaking, visiting, organizing so the congregation sees a body, not a solo act. • “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). Stay on mission wherever you “land” • New neighborhood? New outreach night? Start serving immediately rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Guardrails to Keep the Team Healthy • Humility—“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” (Romans 12:3). • Accountability—regular check-ins to celebrate wins and address tensions. • Restoration mindset—later friction over John Mark (Acts 15) was healed (2 Timothy 4:11); keep hearts open to reconcile quickly. Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Ephesians 4:16—“From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, through the work of each individual part.” • Galatians 6:2—“Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” • Proverbs 27:17—“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” When every believer embraces a God-given role, as Paul, Barnabas, and John did, ministry moves forward with power, credibility, and joy. |
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