Working and Learning Together

It was an enormous challenge: Communicating between ships at sea in the years before radio. In their book about naval warfare, Roy and Leslie Adkins described how signal flags were used. But this process was time-consuming, and messages could be misinterpreted. In conclusion, “There was simply no means of rapid and reliable communications.”

But Horatio Nelson, the great British 18th-century admiral, found an alternative known as the “Nelson Touch.” He invited his captains to dinner on his flagship. During these times, they established rapport, developing such strong connections that they operated more as a team and could understand their communications more clearly.

Paul employed similar principles as he established churches. He not only spent quality time with each church, but often revisited them. Strengthening and encouraging them. Reminding them of what they had been taught.

This became a pattern throughout the early church. When disagreements arose, leaders gathered together, talking through the issues. After a clear decision was made, the word was delivered to believers everywhere, to foster a spirit of unity (Acts 15:1-29).

The Bible consistently encourages these principles. We read “how wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” (Psalm 133:1). Jesus prayed that His followers would experience “perfect unity” (John 17:23). Paul wrote that we are to “continue until we all come to such unity in our faith” (Ephesians 4:13).

In your life, make a commitment to pray for and encourage others. Be a good communicator, with other believers, and the world.