You were never meant to lead alone—God builds healthy teams through chemistry, character, and the courage to surround yourself with the right people.
In this episode of the Bible Leadership Podcast, Mark and Erica unpack what “chemistry” on a team really is and why it matters so much for an effective team. They talk about attraction (actually liking the people you serve with), responsiveness (people who take initiative), and complementary gifts that make the whole team stronger. Along the way, they pull in examples from Scripture—David and Jonathan, Paul and Barnabas, Moses and Aaron, Samson, Rehoboam, and more—to show what happens when leaders choose their people well… and when they don’t. You’ll also hear real stories from Mark and Erica’s 20+ years of serving together, including mistakes, hard seasons, and the gift of teammates who tell you the truth.
📋 Key Takeaways
- Not every good person is your person. You can love someone as a brother or sister in Christ and still admit, “We’re not the right mix for this team or this season,” without shaming them or yourself.
- Filling roles out of desperation creates long-term pain. Hiring or promoting someone because you’re in a rush—or because you’re overly optimistic and ignore red flags—often leads to messy “unplugging” later that hurts people and stalls ministry.
- You need three circles around you:
- Your core team (the people you lead with)
- Peers outside your org who get your world and can say anything to you
- Coaches who are farther down the road and can tell you when an idea is brilliant… or dumb
💬 Quotes & Soundbites
- “You can love someone deeply and still admit, ‘We’re not the right mix on this team.’ Not every good person is your person.”
- “If you fill a role out of desperation, you rarely get a miracle—you usually get a mess you’ll have to undo later.”
- “If you really want the full counsel of God, you need teammates, peers, and coaches. God doesn’t give everything to one person—He speaks through the body.”
- “The leader is obligated to get God what God wants. Have a great team if you can—but if you can’t and you still have to obey, obey anyway.”
📖 Scripture Tie-Ins
- 1 Corinthians 12:18 – “God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”
- Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
- Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 – “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
- Narrative references:
- David & Jonathan – 1 Samuel 18–20
- Abigail & David – 1 Samuel 25
- Samson – Judges 13–16
- Rehoboam & his advisors – 1 Kings 12
- Moses, Aaron, and Hur – Exodus 17
🔗 Links & References
The people around you will shape your ministry more than your talent ever will. Surround yourself with those who share your spirit, strengthen your family, and remind you of Jesus. Don’t rush into chemistry that doesn’t fit—wait for the people God provides. Family first, inner circle strong, team aligned, and Christ at the center.
