Unity Talk for Teams
Introduction
- Who can tell me what is the purpose of your team?
- How do you think unity is essential in order to reach your objectives?
Principles of Unity
Here are some principles that I have learned about unity that I want to share with you in the next few minutes that I think you'll find helpful
1. What is Unity?
- How would you define or describe "unity"?
One definition of unity is "complete agreement; harmony among persons regarding attitudes, opinions, intentions, etc.; Oneness of purpose."
Try to imagine what your team would be like if you had complete harmony and agreement among all of you in all areas? Imagine unity in your classes and your school. Think of what could be accomplished!
2. Problems with Developing and Maintaining Unity
Every group (school, class, team, squad) is made up of individuals which makes each group different.
- Reality
Characteristic: Individuals demand their own way
Actions: Late for Practice; Irresponsible
Attitudes: Gossiping; Cliques
Source: Selfish; Prideful; Unkind; Jealous; Insecure
- The Ideal
Characteristic: Responsible
Actions: Punctual; Includes others
Attitudes: Giving; Open-minded
Source: Kind; Unselfish; Faithful; Considerate; Secure.
Attitudes are the source of our actions. When you have a group of people together who have different attitudes, conflict often occurs.
3. Possible Solutions to Developing and Maintaining Unity
- First Option: Change People's Actions
You can make more rules, but this often produces greater rebellion.
For example, imagine a "Do not touch - Wet Paint" sign on a park bench. Well, often this will cause people to go and touch it, when normally they would not even think of it if the sign telling them NOT to touch wasn't there. Naturally, people have the urge to break the rules, especially if it's likely they won't get caught.
- Second Option: Change People's Attitudes
This option is to try to use logic and reason to re-program one's thinking. However, this is difficult to do because usually it won't cause emotions to change. Even if initially successful, emotions will eventually win out over reason and cause the person to revert back to his or her old ways.
(Share a personal example to help clarify this point.)
- Third Option: Change People's Source (The Heart)
The source of real unity is selfless love. It's not "I love you if ..." and not "I love you because..." Rather, it is simply, "I love you – period ... Regardless of how you may treat me." We can't "psyche" ourselves into loving and accepting people we don't get along with. For example, think of someone you don't really like. Now imagine walking up to that person, throwing your arms around him or her, and saying with sincerity, "I love you." No way! Generally, we are very self-centered individuals; we usually put ourselves first.
The ability to love others is limited because of our self-centeredness. This makes unity difficult to achieve.
So, is there anywhere we can find such a source of love for others that has no strings attached and a source which is unlimited as well?
God: The Only Source of Unlimited Love
God's love continues regardless of our actions. When we have a personal relationship with God, His Spirit lives inside us and we then have access to the limitless love for others that God possesses. I won't go into detail about it here, but I would strongly encourage you to find out more about how God can make a difference in your life and how you treat others.
Wrap Up
- Tell the team you would like to get their feedback and find out what they thought about what you said.
- Ask that each person take a comment card and pencil, which you (or your assistant) will pass out to them.
- Ask them to complete the top portion of the card (name, address, etc.). Wait until most of them have completed that section before moving on.
- Inform them that it would be very helpful if they would comment about what you said to them: Was it helpful? Why or why not?
- Most importantly, ask them to put a check mark next to their phone number if they are interested in finding out more about you campus ministry or if they would just like to learn more about what it means to have a personal relationship with God. That way you'll know they are interested in having you get in touch with them.
- Ask them to fold their cards in half and pass them (and the pencils) to the front of the room or to the outside of their aisles so you can collect them.
- Thank the coach for the opportunity to talk to his team.
Follow-Up
In the next day or two, call the students who wanted the related article and arrange to meet with them at a McDonald's or other location after school one day (preferably with two or more students at a time).
After spending some time getting to know them, ask them what they thought about the team meeting (specifically what you said about the spiritual motivation for competition), and then transition into an explanation of the gospel.