Chemistry isn’t a word we normally hear in the church setting. We use a different word, unity! The Apostle Paul gives quite a descriptive take on the body of Christ. For a moment, allow me to compare it to a team. Every team has roles, and the members of the team fulfill those roles. The team doesn’t work or win, without each part playing their role to the best of their ability.
The body of Christ, or the team, has many roles. The Apostle Paul labeled them as body parts. The meaning though, and the consequences are the same as of a team. If the parts/roles are fulfilled and the individuals fulfilling those roles do them to the best of their ability, then the team wins! The church wins. The opposite is also true.
No doubt, you’ve witnessed a team with all the roles being filled, every person doing exactly what they are assigned to do, yet, the team wasn’t successful. Meanwhile, the opposing team may have been less talented people fulfilling roles, even have a few roles vacant, yet they came out victorious. It came down to team chemistry. One team was enjoying each other, feeding off each other, playing off each other’s ability. Through that, they overcame the insufficiencies they had because of the chemistry of the team.
Team Chemistry = Every part working seamlessly together towards a common goal.
To have team chemistry, each role must understand it’s importance! They must understand that the outcome is totally dependent on them. Now I know what you’re thinking. You mean the equipment manager is equally important as a Lebron James to the team? I could argue the equipment manager is more important, or at least equally important. Lebron James wouldn’t be able to play in his street clothes on the court, so the equipment manager having the uniforms there is of vital importance. No equipment manager means no team on the floor. The equipment manager doesn’t make the starting lineup, but he is of great value to the team.
In the church, there are parts that never make it to the headlines, but they are equally important. Chemistry is every part playing its role for the success of the organization. Every part must understand it’s value, and we cannot devalue another.
The Apostle Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 12
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it
Honoring one another and the gift that is within each of us, is what brings “harmony”. Honor is the key ingredient in chemistry. In the church, when honor is given is often when people, who’ve done equally important things, can feel that they’ve been left out. This leads to people becoming upset or frustrated. However, when one is honored all parts should be glad. Why? Because when one member is honored, we are to be glad for the whole, the entire body or team. That’s keeping the chemistry (unity) of the team.
When you witness people getting upset, frustrated or even angry over another individual’s accolades or success, you’ve witnessed the enemy at work. The enemy introduces pride into the situation and pride is a chemistry killer. Pride is about me, chemistry is about team!Humbleness and honor go hand in hand, and both produce unity in the body of Christ.
Chemistry is vital to the church, for when the church is in harmony with each other, there is a commanded blessing.
Psalm 133
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.
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