Networking Lessons Learned
What? Google and Apple putting aside their logos and egos to work together? You've got to be kidding! But it's true--they're putting aside competition and aiming for the greater good: developing a voluntary system to track the Covid-19 virus.
The stories about COVID-19 around the world seem to unfold moment by moment, highlighting the numbers of cases and deaths. And we're trying to understand and engage with the seriousness of what is happening and hoping to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Halting this global pandemic requires bringing our best efforts to the table; heads of state, major companies, and individual citizens doing their part to end this nightmare.
One of many stories being told is of a group of scientists in San Francisco who are working with over 20 labs around the world, combining their best efforts to bring the virus to a standstill. In disbelief, a Sunday morning news reporter stated, "They are setting aside their egos and doing whatever is necessary to coordinate their worldwide efforts to end this deadly pandemic."
All of these people understand one very important thing:
We must communicate with each other. A lack of cooperation only prolongs the suffering and death.
A number of years ago some of my youth ministry friends gathered in Washington, DC. These were ministry leaders from across the country, representing national organizations and denominations. The purpose of this annual gathering was to link ministries and unify their efforts to impact the lives of millions of teenagers with the love of Christ. This particular year provided them the opportunity to meet at the Pentagon with Admiral Vern Clark, who was at that time the top officer of the Navy. Knowing that the Pentagon housed all of the military forces under one roof (many logos and egos), Admiral Clark was asked, "How is it that all these branches of our military can get along here?" He responded with one word. "War. In wartime we have to work together." This global pandemic has been described as a war, a matter of life and death, a silent killer. Add to that the current social revolution taking place in almost every city of the United States to combat systemic racism, and Admiral Clark's words become sobering for ministry leaders today.
There are obvious lessons for the body of Christ in this ever-unfolding tragedy.
We, too, are in wartime and we fight for the lives of teenagers. Jesus invites us to join him by putting aside our egos and logos to serve together. The National Network of Youth Ministries calls the church and parachurch leaders to the table, encouraging us to offer our best practices for connecting and empowering teenagers in our world today. I invite you to consider how this might look in your life, your community, and your ministry!
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Our world working together is the way we are going to beat the forces that seek to overwhelm us. No one nation, company, or group can possibly do this alone. May we, the body of Christ, pause and learn how to be the love, passion, hope, peace, and joy of Christ and serve together in our world.
Logos and egos, be gone!