All-star quarterback Jack Kemp and his teammates boycotted the 1965 AFL All-Star game in New Orleans “as a statement against the racial climate in the city.” Jack’s black teammates were not treated with the same respect as he and his white teammates, and because they were a “team united,” they did something about it. As a result,the game was moved to another city.

The “body” talked about in 1 Corinthians 12 is the “body of Christ” (v. 27), the church. In this body, just as with a team, we all have different abilities, but we are all vital to the success of the church as a whole. As Christians, we must look past the differences of our brothers and sisters and work together as a team united to advance the cause of Christ in this world.

Jack Kemp goes on to say, “Every team requires unity. A team has to move as one unit, one force, with each person understanding and assisting the roles of his teammates.” Whether it’s with our coaching staff and the team, or our Christian brothers and sisters in the church, we must work toward unity today so that we will achieve our common purpose.