THE POWER OF SYNERGY

Synergy is actually the working together, collaboration and combined effort of people or partners for better yield and result. It is the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances or other agents to produce a combined better profit, income, or harvest greater than the sum of their separate efforts. Synergy is team work at its best results that can be much more productive and effective than when individuals do the works separately. Team work makes the dream work; it divides the task and multiplies the success; alone we can do little; together we can do so much! Many joints in synergy work together more efficiently with what each joint supplies and makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love [Eph. 4:16]

Such merger help the combined effort to generate better results and increased revenue that they could not generate or achieve on its own and this gives grace to remain competitive and profitable. Synergy produces a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual efforts or contributions. Synergy is the reason for most mergers and achievements. It is also responsible for increased profit, combined talents and technology, and cost reduction.

“And he gave orders to the twelve, and sent them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits” Mark 6:7 BBE

Even Jesus Christ being Lord and Savior recruited twelve partners to synergize with Him for effective ministerial work, saving the souls of men, making disciples and release of miraculous working power for signs and wonders; at a point having been equipped, He sent them in twos so that cooperate anointing and grace working among them can raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, give sight to the blind and make the lame to walk. Synergy brings us in contact with others of like passion so that we can create and do what we could not do alone.

In spiritual synergy talking about combined effort working together within the body of Christ, we must come to humbly work together as one, just as the Father and His Son Jesus Christ did, the resulting strength and productivity will be greater than the sum of our combined individual efforts. One of the reason for five-fold ministers is that each can contribute to the wholesome of the body of Christ so that the people of God can be well fed with a balanced diet and not remain spiritually immature, still needing milk of the word and spiritual lean. Working with others make their gifts to be sharpened and developed so that in pairing a trained person with a learner, the learner can develop his inherent gifts, gloriously mature and work better and faster.

Looking critically at New Testament pattern of ministry [Eph. 4:11-12] apart from division of labor among the five-fold ministers, they are called and ordained to equip the saints, pew or congregation to fit into the mode of operation within the body of Christ that God assigned them to whether music ministry, ushering, prayer band, administration or technical department such that each department excellently doing their part of the overall work can call for efficiency in doing the works of the heavenly Father and in harmony. Each of us as a good manager must use the gift that God gave us to serve others [1 Peter 4:8-10; Romans 15:5-6; Ezra 3:9-10].

Imagine a local assembly where the music ministry is found wanting or lack necessary spiritual vibes to perform their duties effectively; Satan will take advantage of this loophole and hinder the right access to the Throne Room of Grace and he will even negatively affect the rising up of our prayers as incense when the prayer band are not effectively debasing the kingdom of darkness.

“How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God's people to live together in unity! It is like the precious anointing oil running down from Aaron's head and beard, down to the collar of his robes. It is like the dew on Mount Hermon, falling on the hills of Zion. That is where the LORD has promised his blessing—life that never ends” Psalms 133:1-3 

Synergy or collaboration caused the unity or harmony among brethren in the above scripture as they come to associate together, and to go up to the house of God in company, and with delight to join together in acts of religious worship; to serve the Lord with one consent, with one mind and mouth to glorify God, and to be of one accord, having the same love; and to do all kind and good offices one to another in the most hearty and cordial manner; serving each other in love, bearing one another's burdens, sympathizing with each other in all circumstances, forgiving each other offences committed, praying with one another, and building up each other in their most holy faith, stirring up one another to love and to good works.

Such is what brought down the blessings of God upon that body of Christ, even life forevermore.

What bring about the power that stand against foes, deflates mountains and efficiently disrupt the works of darkness is when two formidable forces fuse  together and operate as “one” standing toe to toe against the kingdom of darkness and resisting whatever come against it. It is as if two souls were like two chemicals, when kept apart they will do no harm, but in bringing them together, they will explode and shatter everything that stands against it. It is like hydrogen and sulfur which are not dangerous when apart but becomes sulfuric acid when brought together and develops character that burns and destroys. Positively speaking, it is like sodium and Chlorine that become salt when brought together that sweetens and preserves life.

This is the scenario when two entities within the body of Christ fuses together for kingdom exploits, we will see that we are better and stronger together. A synergy is where different entities cooperate advantageously for a final better outcome. The effect of the unison is greater and better than the sum of the effects of the individual parts. Nuclear weapons are made of millions of chemical atoms coming to fuse together and their union contain power that can destroy cities.

In Christian ministry or business terminology, synergy means that teamwork will produce an overall much more better result than if each person was working individually towards achieving the same goal. Always remember that there is “a bonus achieved when things work together harmoniously”

Synergy is taken from the Greek word “syn-ergos”. This means working together. One person may not be tall enough to pluck an apple on the tree but if he carries another person on his shoulder together they can pluck several apples from that tree. So synergy usually arises when two persons or more with different complementary skills cooperate and work together. It usually takes a man with sperm and a woman with eggs to consummate in order to bring forth an embryo or fetus that develops into a baby.

“He has done this intentionally so that every member would look after the others with mutual concern, and so that there will be no division in the body. In that way, whatever happens to one member happens to all. If one suffers, everyone suffers. If one is honored, everyone rejoices. You are the body of the Anointed One, and each of you is a unique and vital part of it. ” 1 Cor. 12:25-27 TPT

One of the cause of such division is the spirit of offense, bitterness and unforgiveness among brethren sown by the devil so as to negatively affect the bond, love and oneness that ought to be amongst them. Once there is division within the body and one part suffers, it affects the wholesome of that body negatively. The other point of this is that each joint within the body has what to contribute to the wholesome of the body so when devil negatively affects a part from performing its duty or responsibility, then the wholesome and blessedness of the body is negatively affected also.

Jesus is the head and leader of the body of Christ and all believers are members of that body. This body is made up of many sub-parts who are to operate as one in synergy under the influence of the spirit of Christ with godly characters like love, joy, peace and compassion amongst them. We are influenced by the love of Christ and so care for each other so that in oneness we can stand toe to toe against the enemies of the body of Christ like the popular saying “United we stand, divided we fall”. Together with other believers, we find encouragement, hope, strength, safety, and so much more!

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” Matt. 18:19

Greater impact happens when forces are joined together to fight a common cause. The oneness achieved when two forces agree in request before the Lord is that the Lord manifests their request because of the power of agreement and combined action or operation. Even in the cooperate world we have seen many companies joining forces together in alignment and they often beat others through this power of oneness. We often see airlines or car companies partnering or merging for better effectiveness, efficiency and productivity. Locally Access Bank and Diamond Bank merged together and they became a formidable force than before.

“Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel. Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it” Joshua 10:4-5 

Kings do not fight alone, they synergize together to fight a common enemy and physically speaking win the war because they join forces together and conceive power that would not have been available normally.

“And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do” Genesis 11:6 

It correlate with the above scripture where people agreed to build and even the heavenly Father declared that nothing will be restrained from them because of the bond and synergy among them. Stephen Covey said “Interdependent people combine their own efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their greatest success”

YOUR BRETHREN YOUR HELPER

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” Eph. 6:10-11 

Paul did a wonderful work defining the weapons of our warfare against the onslaught of Satan but he left out a very formidable weapon which is what covers your back while in spiritual warfare. I submit to you that it will take a fellow brethren to stand at your back to protect you from unseen forces and strategy of the evil one to throw a fiery dart at you from the back.

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he fall; for he hath not another to help him up” Eccl. 4:9-10 

Indeed, if we look upon man as he came out of the hands of his Maker, we imagine him to be perfect, entire, lacking nothing. But God, whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts, saw something still wanting to make Adam happy. And what was that? So God made “an help meet” suitable for him. And if this were the case of man before the fall; if a help was meet for him in a state of perfection; surely since the fall, when we come naked and helpless out of our mother’s womb, when our wants increase with our years, and we can scarcely subsist a day without the mutual assistance of each other. Even when one is weak, the stronger one make up for the strength lapses and lift the weaker one up! [Romans 15:1]

COMBINED FORCES IGNITES POWER AND PRODUCTIVITY

Coals if ignited and left alone will soon go cold but when coals are heaped together, the fire grows brighter and fiery. The saying “that when they fall, the one will lift up his fellow” is applicable here because one coal well lighted will spread the fire to the one yet to be lighted up. In such scenario mutual reproof, mutual exhortation, and mutual assisting and defending each other occurs regularly. Brethren in unity have a good reward for their labor.

In a good partnership, two can accomplish more than each one individually. The sum will be greater than the parts. If they fall, one will lift us his companion: When two work and live together they can help each other in difficult times. Where there is a stammering Moses, there is always an orating Aaron that makes up for the short coming of Moses. Thank God for Moses Father in law Jethro [Exodus 18:17-21] else Moses would have killed himself doing work that seventy people should do.

NEW TESTAMENT PATTERN OF MINISTRY

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them TWO and TWO before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come” Luke 10:1 

Christ sent these disciples two by two to teach them the necessity of concord among the ministers of righteousness, that in the mouths of two witnesses everything might be established. It was done, doubtless, that they might aid one another by mutual counsel, and that they might sustain, and comfort one another in their works and trials.

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” Act 13:1-3 

God beautifully portrayed the necessity of synergy by gathering together in Antioch prophets and teachers in preparation for the missionary journey that Paul and Barnabas will engage in. Two very important calling out of the five-fold ministerial group highlighted by Paul were mentioned here and they were equally important for this mission. It takes the Prophets to be inspired by God so that the need for and codes for the mission can be passed from God to the Prophets but it takes the teachers to decode the mission statement and teach it in plain language that all the brethren can understand and run with the vision. Not only that, God also sent both Paul and Barnabas together as a synergic force in other to proffer success of the mission.

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth” Rev. 11:3 

When you critically look at the end time scripture above, you will see that at this critical point both Apostles and Prophets will be released as foundation of this work so that an effectual force can be released to combat the work of darkness trying to militate against the Church of God.

PRAYER OF CHRIST FOR ONENESS IN HIS BODY

“And I ask not only for these disciples, but also for all those who will one day believe in me through their message. I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me. For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy. You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me” John 17:20-23 

The greatest power in Christendom is released when there is unity within the Church. Remember one shall chase a thousand while two shall chase ten thousand. Best analogy for this is the water pipe system in a building; once the parts are fitly fitted and connected to the source of the water there is no disruption in water flow to all the parts of the building but if the pipe leaks or is broken somewhere, it will negatively affect the flow and supply of water to parts of the building. As long as the whole body of Christ are fully engaged in doing their parts of the great commission and united to all the body parts there shall be no schism, breakup, or rupture.

“Who is Apollos, really? Or who is Paul? Aren’t we both just servants through whom you believed our message? Aren’t each of us doing the ministry the Lord has assigned to us? I was the one who planted the church and Apollos came and cared for it, but it was God who caused it to grow. This means the one who plants is not anybody special, nor the one who waters, for God is the one who brings the supernatural growth. Now, the one who plants and the one who waters ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT AND ON THE SAME TEAM, but each will be rewarded for his own work. WE ARE COWORKERS with God and you are God’s cultivated garden, the house he is building. God has given me unique gifts as a skilled master builder who lays a good foundation. Afterward another craftsman comes and builds on it. So builders beware! Let every builder do his work carefully, according to God’s standards” 1 Cor. 3:5-10 TPT

In this classic scripture, we see the process of growth [verses 5-6], believers plants and water; we see the source of growth [7-8] as God is the one who gives the increase; we see the synergy of growth [9-10] as co-workers synergize and have time in the word and in prayer and personal worship of Jehovah; while in the Church they read the word together, pray together and for one another and do have time of cooperate worship. It is such synergy that encourages sustainability, expansion, explosion and growth within the body of Christ.

GREAT POMP, POWER, ANOINTING RELEASED IN ONE ACCORD

“These all continued with ONE ACCORD in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” Act. 1:14 

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with ONE ACCORD in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” Act. 2:1-4 

“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with ONE ACCORD in Solomon's porch” Act. 5:12

Christian brethren must keep the oneness and practice the one accord, so that God’s blessing of life can be poured out among them. God commands eternal life as a blessing upon those who dwell together in oneness in the Church life [Psalms 133:1-3]. God will come to dwell among us and bless us with the anointing of the Spirit, the watering grace and eternal life.

One accord is the master key to all of God’s blessings in the New Testament. The anointing of God is poured out as rivers of living waters when men and brethren are together in one accord just as seen above on the day of Pentecost. Few chapters down the book of Acts [Acts 5:12], we see all manner of signs and wonders being done through the hands of the apostles who were in one accord in Solomon’s porch.

I just had a vision as I am penning this article, I saw several strands of ropes being intertwined together and I noticed that the more the strands of ropes twisted together, the stronger the rope become. That is the power of synergy. Together we can do great and mighty things. The grace down-poured on the day of Pentecost is still available if we stand together in prayer and unison as one body… we are all one in Christ Jesus [Galatians 3:28]. Disunity is like cancer that is a killer and spreads until death is inevitable!

“Look at how much encouragement you’ve found in your relationship with the Anointed One! You are filled to overflowing with his comforting love. You have experienced a deepening friendship with the Holy Spirit and have felt his tender affection and mercy. So I’m asking you, my friends, that you be joined together in perfect unity—with one heart, one passion, and united in one love. Walk together with one harmonious purpose and you will fill my heart with unbounded joy. Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests” Phil. 2:1-4 TPT

Walk in close proximity with the brethren as part of that one body and you will experience greater grace, holiness, righteousness and peace with all men; perseverance, anointing, power and authority for greater works.

Synergy helps us to create something we could never produce on our own. The power of synergy is released as we partner together with others. Community is shared responsibility and releases the power of synergy and true kingdom synergy extends to the next generation. Synergy is divine assistance to do greater and better engaging the expertise of others to mingle with ours for maximum output.

SAINTS WHO OPERATED IN SYNERGY

“But for now, I feel a stirring in my heart to send Epaphroditus back to you immediately. He’s a friend to me and a wonderful brother and fellow soldier who has worked with me as we serve as ministers of the gospel. And you sent him as your apostle to minister to me in my need” Phil. 2:25 TPT

Many times Paul had beautiful and fruitful ministry because he had the likes of Epaphroditus, Timothy, Apollos and Titus working alongside him carrying some of the burdens and making his work lighter and fruitful. Epaphroditus was a fellow worker or companion in labor, team player, wonderful brother and fellow soldier; who has taken part with Paul in the work and in the fight, he was a great helper and was in kingdom service to expand the kingdom of God causing the amount of work accomplished to be more than the sum of its parts.

When we work together like this, it helps to preserve unity within the body of Christ, get more Christians involved in the work and to evenly distribute the work that need to be done.

“Beloved friends, what does all this imply? When you conduct your meetings, you should always let everything be done to build up the church family. Whether you share a song of praise, a teaching, a divine revelation, or a tongue and interpretation, let each one contribute what strengthens others” 1 Cor. 14:26 TPT

None of us is a jack of all trade, you have your specific role and work within the body; harmonious release come when we all do our parts diligently, music leaders leading in worship, prayer warrior praying, teacher teaching, prophets prophesying while the evangelists go out there and bring fresh souls into the kingdom of God so that we can labor together with God maximally.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE OF SYNERGY

“It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endure forever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD” 2 Chron. 5:13 

The glory of God “doxa” which simply is all that God has and all that God is, will be released when in harmony all ministerial laborers take their place and effectively played their roles. In this classical example each musician use their instrument and grace gift to lift up worship beautifully such that the glory of God flows down and the house was filled with the cloud of God as they work together as one. It is in such atmosphere that miraculous power is released and you see all manner of miracles, signs and wonders without men being involved in the process.

LOVE OF THE BRETHREN AND SYNERGY

There are obvious hiccups that work against unison and negates one accord within the body of Christ. But mercy and grace empowers us to overcome pride and insecurity; repentance and fostering good relationship works against arrogance and spirit of isolation. Love and community mindset work against fear and intimidation.

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” John 13:34-35 

Love among brethren does not only cover a multitude of sin but it helps to foster oneness so that there is no division among us and we can be tender to one another doing the works of God with others without any rancor, hostility or bitterness. Such is when the Spirit of God flows among us to give whatever it takes especially the anointing and grace for better works.

“But if there is bitter jealousy or competition hiding in your heart, then don’t deny it and try to compensate for it by boasting and being phony. For that has nothing to do with God’s heavenly wisdom but can best be described as the wisdom of this world, both selfish and devilish. So wherever jealousy and selfishness are uncovered, you will also find many troubles and every kind of meanness. But the wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form and it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace” James 3:14-18 

Those with evil hearts and unable to bridle their tongues often causes division among brethren operating out of bitterness, envy, jealousy, selfishness, malice and every kind of meanness and without compassion and agape love for the brethren, so they walk and work contrary to synergy. These are earthly, unspiritual, sensual, demonic or diabolical and cannot foster oneness nor truly synergize with the brethren for better and greater output but causes divisions among the brethren and weakens the bond among brethren.