THE TEAMWORK OF KOBE BRYANT

Teamwork is Dreamwork is not just a nice little saying leaders make. It is a reality and a lifestyle. It is the method of winning churches.

Kobe Bryant was drafted out of Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1996. He went to the famed Los Angeles Lakers. He was the youngest player drafted out of high school. The Los Angeles Lakers was a team he dreamed about playing for and having Magic Johnson as his basketball idol. They were a team that had won many previous championships. He, in that same year, became the youngest player to start an NBA game. Every year his scoring average had been climbing as well as his basketball saavy. In the 2000 season, Kobe teamed up with Shaq O'Neal to win their first championship for the Los Angeles Lakers. They would repeat it two more times. Now, for Kobe Bryant it wasn't a smooth sailing. He married his wife, Vanessa, from OC. Even through that, he had a family split. Where his family disapproved of his relationship, much less his marriage to his wife. The feud and division lasted a couple of years. He was accused of a sexual tryst with a woman in Colorado. Apart from that, he had a brewing conflict with his so called, "Big brother", Shaq. As well as future problems in his own marriage. Yet, Kobe kept at it. We are watching a great person grow up before our very eyes. I might add, I have seen history in watching Kobe. I watched him score (On TV of course) those 81 points. I saw him score those many points last season at Madison Square Garden. I saw the majority of the Finals last season. As well as go to the Lakers Parade. So what is it that makes Kobe so intriguing to the public? 5 reasons:

1. He seems to stay above the fray of negative nba actions.

Apart from his turmoil, Kobe tends to his family. Is well known as a giving person, and an example in helping others. His popularity in China and Asia is off the charts.

2. He's the closest to Michael Jordan that we might see in our lifetime.

I do not see another player with this type of caliber on the scene. Many go on and on about Lebron James. But it is wishful thinking. Kobe has many years left, and will probably attain greater heights than Michael Jordan. It'll be close to compare them. But I still think Jordan will get the edge. Yet Kobe is right there.

3. The man is a hard worker on the court.

And because of that, he constantly comes up in the clutch. Its been said, he shoots about a thousand shots in practice. He often comes before everyone else and practices, and leaves after everyone else is gone. He has a drive. If Kobe does it for monetary value. (Though I know he loves the game) should not we work for God even more? Because its for the Lord?

4. He's become a well rounded player.

It's great to see him becoming a good leader. You just see it. He's loyal to the purple and gold. I tell my son, that if wants to be a great player just watch Kobe. Kobe is all over the place. He doesn't just focus on scoring. He does all the little things. Plays defense; goes after loose balls; Rebounds; makes the pass; makes his team mates better. He does it all. He has become a well rounded player. What about you? Are you growing in your skill for ministry? Or are you still stuck, in that ministry rut. It is your job to become trained, so you can pass it on to your workers and staff. Take Bible courses; go to school extensions. Attend seminars, read good books. Listen to counsel from your leaders,(And apply it)Know your stuff. And, boy' do we ever need it in this fast paced and changing world.

5. The man wants to win.

Me, like Kobe, I hate to lose. Play me handball, dominoes, basketball, or football, chess. I hate to lose. As a pastor, I love it when our church scores points. I mean gains yardage, or does things that cause an impact in peoples lives for God. Kobe hates to lose. You can see it on his face. Do you like to win? I think for God and miniustry, we should do those things that breed a winning culture. You see that in teams who every year are at the top. Whether in college, school, or the Pros. It starts with wanting to give God our best.

There are many churches in our country who are many sizes. Large and small, or medium. In addition there are a great many growing models. Due to the fact that in the Bible there are no formulas for a one size -fits- all. Many cultures, many generational shifts and geographical localities. There also are a great deal of Kobe's (Spiritual Kobe's) in our churches. People with many talents(Oh, I forgot. How could I say Female Kobe's? Ok, There's many Whoopi Goldbergs. No, No, No, Just Kidding! There's many Wilma Rudolph's or Serena Williams'.) in our ministries. And they, the truth be told, are the real heroes. It is NOT the pastors. Even though he plays a big part. See, the job of a coach is to get into the background. To coach his players, to become as one unit. To bring the best out of their players so they can fulfill their God given potential. That's his job. There's some who say, No, No, No, the leader leads up at front. Yes, its true. But a leader is a coach. The players are the ones in the field, its not the coach. Which one is it? What do you want to be? If its a player, then get out there in that field! If not, stay on the sidelines and coach! I have a philosophy that, I'd rather be a Barnabas, than a Paul any day. Though Paul recieved the name or the fame. He was a good man of God. It was Barnabas that set it in motion. He took the back seat, in order for the disciple to take the front seat, and so to propel the gospel to the then world. While watching Kobe I have learned some lessons about his game we can apply to our team ministry. Here's a few of them:

1. He learned he couldn't win games by himself.

Kobe in the beginning showed spouts of promise. He had great moves, that you thought we were watching Jordan. Yet, how many times have I watched him in past games, where he'd get stuck under the basket, and I'd say out loud, 'Kobe pass the ball." Then watching Jackson, uptight about it. A couple of years ago. Kobe spouted off in the media, about getting traded. Someone in the Laker organization had said some nasty things about him, and he was upset. The only thing he wanted was support. Players who were decent players on the court. He has learned to pass the ball. He has learned to give up shots for the sake of the team than self.

2. That when we have power & prestige, we tend to make mistakes. In his early beginning, he made mistakes. Pro players have many temptations on the road. That doesn't exclude you or me. We have the same and sometimes even worst temptations confront us in life. We must not let power get to our heads. We walk around as we don't need the Lord. Humility, contentment, prayer, holiness, accountability, worship, teamwork, are not simply by-words for you. They are your life. Your life in God. You and me are not exempt. We must surround ourselves with the Lord's presence as well as our church teams.

3. That regardless of your talent, you still need a mentor.

Kobe has had it pretty rough. When you have that type of attention. You kinda seclude yourself. With all the popularity, people and those who can help, can fade into the background thinking you don't need them. Kobe was misunderstood and thought of as arrogant. Yet, he still needed counsel. Even Jordan backed away from him, as well as his own dad. So what do you do as a young kid? Do you have a mentor? Who is that person who speaks into your life? Are you close to a real man or woman of God? If you will last for the long run. You need a mentor. Throughout scripture great leaders had mentors. From Moses, to David, with Samuel, to Elijah with Elisha, to the apostles, etc. If you will go far, you must stay open to learn. Leadership is a lifelong process of learning.

4. He's pressed on regardless in his focus.

He has stuck it out. He in the meantime he has excelled and raised the bar, and standards on the court. No matter where you are in life. You must press on in God. Ministry and serving the Lord is not easy. Yet, at times we make it hard on ourselves. How? By our bad decsions. By our bad attitudes. By our wrong choices. Then we attempt to point fingers at society, at our upbringing, at our churches, pastor, parents or coaches. God wants you to prosper and have success. Success His way Psa 1. The plans He has for us are not bad, but good, it says in Jer. 29:11. He is for us. If the whole world were against you, and you had God in your corner, you'll always come out on top. Yet, people are not your enemy. The devil is. You will make it. Stay in the fight and be focused on the task at hand.

The Lakers have now won a Finals championship post Shaq. It was due to Kobe's evolution and development as a team player. The Lakers have a tremendous system. It is called the Triangle Offense. It ensures the ball is fluid. That each player touches the ball. It is a team, system. It has proven successful in Chicago, with the great, Michael Jordan. Winning six championships. Some parting thoughts to help us this week.

1. We cannot stifle the Kobe's on our teams.

Remember, God gives gifts to the church. They come in the form of individuals who can help us build our churches. Yes, they are on fire. Yes, they are excited. Yes, they can be immature. Let's work with them, utilize them in ministry. Yet, may we not pour cold water on their fire. They are the future in our churches. Be patient. It is a good thing because the blood is flowing in the church. What we do not need. What we do not want is stale maintenance. That's why many churches are dying daily across the U.S. and the world. You walk around the streets of Europe, and , 'My God", talk about death.

2. That if we keep at it we will be successful.

Many churches shoot themslevse in the foot. Their mentality is that their time has come and gone. Not so! You must think, as its barely the beginning. That the only way is up and not down. I've been saved 27 years. Pastored 16. It s been tough. But I believe my better days are right around the corner. That the greatest days for our church is right around the corner. That the most powerful days for the body of Christ is in the future. That the greatest time and moments for our moovement is up ahead. Our future is so bright, we have to wear sunglasses. I am so proud to see young people and families and teams being raised up, with the gospel in their hearts. But I also recognize, we must keep at it. That church leadership teams must keep at it to be successful. We live in a cheap, do everything fast world. I think that's kinda creeping into some of our churches. As long as we're growing. Might not be as what others expect. But it is solid growth in the Lord. Then, you're talking about a ministry that'll make a difference for years to come. A ministry that has built a winning culture. That each year desires to raise the bar of ministry. Raising the bar by evaluation, adjusting and taking decisive action, and selecting the right personnel.

3. That you must think as a coach.

A coach when everyone else is resting, is studying. A coach that evaluates constantly. A coach who tinkers with the roster as to have the greatest output. Same way a parent wants the best for his or her family, thinking ahead of the coming days. Seeing the advantages and pitfalls. The coach is on their game. Look, if you'll have a winning team, you must practice. You must be able to see weakness and strengths you can use in a particular situation. You say, "What do you know about coaching?" Well, I was a basketball coach two or three times. The first time. It was for the YMCA. I was handed the worst team. I noticed that the rest of the coaches had better players. I found out their schemes. Before the year was out, they were recruiting the best players already. Yet, what happened was, that we didn't have a bad season. We turned those players into a B team. Not bad. We beat some pretty good teams. Parents were happy. I tried different schemes including, zone defense, full court presses, different plays. You must think as a coach on your ministry team.

Leave a comment if you'd like. I will respond. Have a great week.