The Emmy-winning miniseries "A Band of Brothers," presented a vivid portrait of World War II as experienced by an Army unit serving in Europe. The drama focuses on Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, which parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, and fought for the remainder of the war.
The battle scenes are harrowing and costly, and the quiet moments serve to underscore the bond that develops between the men as they become battle tested.
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Perhaps the same could be said about mission teams that are sent into enemy territory to battle against the prince of darkness.
The high cost of doing mission work often forms them into "A Band of Brothers" not unlike that of Easy Company.
Because mission work is difficult, going as a team makes sense:
- Teams create a sense of community. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one. . . If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" When the situation is difficult, team members can lean on one another.
- Teams reduce loneliness, culture shock and homesickness. A Band of Brothers helps maintain the morale and spiritual character of the group and their families.
- Teams facilitate better decision-making. A team generally discusses issues more completely and from various perspectives. Proverbs 15:22 states, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
- Teams encourage greater accountability. Missionaries who serve on teams are held accountable almost daily by their teammates. As a result, they can help one another’s spiritual walk, work ethic and fruitfulness in language study and ministry.
- Teams create synergy that cannot be achieved when flying solo. Teams are generally more productive than working alone. Team members sharpen one another as "iron sharpens iron," Proverbs 27:17.
Lois and Lawrence Dodds, authors of a paper entitled Am I Still Me?: Changing the Core Self to Fit a New Context, describe the importance of groups:
The challenge to develop a new identity is faced by people the world over who are forced to or choose to go across cultures . . . .
Back home, we learn who we are on a daily basis through the various reference groups who are sources of affirmation for us. Through them we develop a sense of our own value, our place, and the boundaries of what is acceptable and expected. Going into another culture usually means we leave all of these groups behind, all at once! . . . . In most cases, it takes years to become a solid member of a new reference group. Meanwhile, we may feel we don’t fit and have no place. The sense of isolation and aloneness contributes to some loss of self. This is one reason we strongly urge agencies to send out whole teams, not just individuals or couples. (Dodds and Dodds. 2003, pp. 1, 3.)
The importance of working with a team is effectively expressed in the blog of Bryan Rusher on the eve of his moving to Vienna, Austria:
If I fall asleep at this very moment, I'd have only an hour before my alarm goes off. We need to be at the airport at 4:30 a.m. . . . I have promised myself some sleep.
I'm listening to U2's song, "Sometimes you can't make it on your own." And right now, I know that if I wasn't on a team, I'd quit. I couldn't go alone. I'd back out. The burden I feel right now is too much.
Don't worry (if you are). I'm not going to quit [because] I'm not alone. I'm not doing this alone. The brothers and sisters involved in this ministry are incredible in number and in faith. I don't have to go it alone. I'm going with friends. Good friends. I imagine we'll be scared together. That's alright.
See you in Vienna.
Today, missionaries are serving the Lord in difficult situations around the world, often far from adequate support networks. If they are part of a mission team, their hardships are forging them into a "band of brothers" that will provide the camaraderie, comfort and competence that are needed for the task.
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