In simple terms, convergence is about things coming together and flowing together. It’s when you are in that flow; when you are doing what you were created to do; when your gifts, talents, skills, and passions are all flowing together. This can take place on both a personal and a professional level.
Consider the Four Faces of Jesus we can see in the in the Gospels – often viewed as different personality types:
- Mathew - the face of a Lion. Christ was born King of the Jews. If you are like the face of a lion, you are task focused, fast paced, and love a challenge.
- Mark - the face of an Ox. The tireless wonderworking Servant of God. If you are like the face of an ox, the suffering servant, you love people, you are nurturing, and you do not like strife.
- Luke - the face of Man. Jesus the Son of Man - a people person. If you are like the face of a Man, you are a social person, you have charisma, and people are attracted to you.
- John - the face of an Eagle: Jesus the Son of God. If you are like the face of an eagle, you may tend to be a perfectionist.
In order for there to be unity in the Body of Christ, we need to be able to appreciate the uniqueness of the way that God made us and others. When God puts a team together, He always does it with variety and diversity. Understanding everyone’s respective strengths and weaknesses allows us to begin unlocking the power of convergence.
CONVERGENCE IS A JOURNEY TOWARDS MATURITY AND HARMONY WITH YOURSELF AND YOUR TEAM
Example: Paul and Barnabas were a great apostolic team.
Barnabas was like a man and an ox. Paul was like a lion and an eagle. But their differences brought them into conflict. (Acts 15:37-41 Barnabas’ nephew). Their differences eventually ended their friendship because they couldn’t reconcile each other’s God-given uniqueness.
Example: Peter and John were a great apostolic team.
John was prophetic and nurturing - the eagle and the ox. Peter was a combination of the lion and the man. This team flowed well because Jesus had trained them how to get along with people who were different to themselves. The twelve apostles of Christ were all very different. (John 13:34-35) A great team has all four personalities within it and knows how to flow as one.
Conclusion
Convergence does not happen until you honour the way you were made. You must recognize that you have both strengths and limitations. You will never finish great tasks if you do not learn to honour the variety that God has placed in other people.
Together we win!
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International