"Winning Takes Care Of Everything" was the tagline placed on an image of Tiger Woods following his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and regained his ranking of #1 in the world of golf.

This immediately became a topic of discussion on social media as well as weblogs and print media around the world.  You can read the story of Tiger Woods and the Nike ad here:

A Nike spokesperson defended the effort, according to ABC News: Tiger has always said he competes to win.

"When asked about his goals such as getting back to number one, he has said consistently winning is the way to get there. The statement references that sentiment and is a salute to his athletic performance."

USA Today quoted LA-based sports marketing consultant David Carter, who likely nailed the heart of the matter:

This is another case of Nike being Nike. The tagline will reinforce both people who support Tiger or are put off by him. For some people, this will be seen as another case of an athlete who doesn’t understand how a big part of society views what he’s done.

What happens when we bring this line of thinking into the local church?

What IS winning/success in worship ministry?

We tend to think that crowds equals success.

Great music and a great band equals a successful music program.

Great soloists with a very cool look means that we are relevant.

We record our own songs...that makes us successful

"Don't sell out your team for one individual's talent.  It's not worth bringing in a head case that will cause disruption."

Vince Lombardi, NFL coaching legend for the Green Bay Packers,  famous speech….“Gentlemen, this is a football.”

The story goes that Lombardi stressed fundamentals. After holding up the football as though they had never seen one and describing its importance;  He would then take the team out and show them the field. He’d point out the out-of-bounds lines and the end zones. Then, he would remind the players that the football is to go across the end zone line.

In ministry, we have to regularly evaluate our motives…the things that drive us.

How do we build a team that for the long-haul?

1. You need CLARITY | Focus on the goal.

2. You need UNITY on your team.

Unity doesn't mean that there won't be disagreements…

Ps. 133:1-3

1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! 2It is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended on the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for ever more.

3. You need COMMUNITY - Do life together with your team.

You can't shortcut the process!

Galatians 5:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

What is your ministry producing?

Final Thoughts:

1. Seek excellence but know that Excellence is different than Anointing.  You need BOTH.

2. Place People ahead of Programs

3. Don't be careless with the Favor of God on your life…

Luke 12:48 From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

 

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