Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Two Are Better Than One and Three Is Even Better!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him–a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV

Note that when the Holy Spirit launched the pioneering ministry to the Gentiles, He set apart Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work.  It was the Holy Spirit who created the team concept for pioneering the work.  These two men then added John Mark as their helper on the first missionary tour (Acts 13:1-5). 

Pioneering a new ministry takes much effort.  Many unexpected obstacles appear and must be dealt with.  Some tasks are operational and some are more ‘spiritual.’  But all must be done.  It’s so helpful to have several to join in helping shoulder the workload.  Don’t seek to go alone!  Two are better than one and a three-cord strand is not easily broken.  No one individual has all the gifts or abilities needed to establish a sustainable initiative.  Ask God to bring you help – men and women of like-heart and vision who are skilled in the task.

Some have concluded that the number one reason for cross-cultural missionaries returning home is conflict with other team members.  Many serve with teammates they did not select but were assigned.  Many also are seeking to expand the Kingdom in high stress environments with formidable opposition.  Any character ‘cracks’ are soon amplified under the work pressure and become ‘chasms’ due to the efforts of our adversary. 

Ideally, working as a team in a familiar environment before moving into the pressure cooker of cross-cultural stress can be of great benefit.  Note that Barnabas and Saul served together in Antioch before being sent to the Gentiles.  While this does not always guarantee a successful team experience, it can greatly help.  We see that John Mark deserted the team and before the second missionary tour even Barnabas and Saul separated.  Both took others with them and formed new teams as they went out again.