I Give Thanks For You

Ephesians 1:15-23 KJV; Ascension Day; I give thanks for meeting and knowing those who themselves are overjoyed in the love and the hope they have in the Lord.

Our Help Comes From The Lord

Psalm 121 KJV Where else would help come from but from the Lord?

Pastors Are Not The Head Of The Church; Christ Is

1 Corinthians 3:1-9; 1 Corinthians 12:7-14; KJV; 6th Sunday after Epiphany; All parts of the Body are equal. They may all have different gifts; but, all gifts and members are necessary. 

Gather Together Often!

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 

                                                                        (1 Cor 12:18-25 KJV)

As I attended a meeting for the South Eastern Conference SEC of the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) last night I could not help but wonder why the various members of the Body of Christ are reluctant to come together. I am not only speaking of those who profess to be Christians and rarely gather with others to worship God. I am also speaking of whole congregations who prefer to be isolated from the rest of the Body. 

Sometimes it is doctrinal difference particularly when it comes to gathering with others of a different denomination. Sometimes, it is because they have genuine animosity toward a brother or sister in Christ of another congregation.  Sadly; sometimes, it is also because we do not want anyone interfering in the power that we may have in the congregation that we are in. We simply do not want anyone interfering with the little bit of control that we think we have in our place of worship. Yes, sadly, there are members of congregation who do not have care for one another; but, only to build themselves up. They want no outside interference reminding people that we are all members of the One Body of Christ and that every person is as important as the next in the growing up of the Body. There are those who actually think that we do not need one another and that we are not a part of the same Body. 

The list of excuses used for not gathering together with other Christians is too long to be able to go over them all. But, remember that we are One Body and one member is not better than another. God gives each of us gifts to the growth of the Body and they must be used together "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." (Eph 4:12)

St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

                                                                      (Eph 4:1-7, 11-12 KJV)

The LCMC South Eastern Conference in conjunction with St. Paul's Lutheran Seminary is sponsoring a conference on the "Two Kingdoms" on Jekyll Island” on April 19 and 20 this year. Join us! More information can be found at this link: https://semlc.org/conference-registration/

Let us not neglect to gather together in the bond of peace often!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

One In Christ

Valaam Transfiguration Monastery

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

                                                                        (1 Cor 12:12-26 KJV)

Let all the people applaud the choir!  I have not been able to find anything in scripture that remotely tells us that we should clap our hands for anyone other than God during a worship service.  I have never understood lifting up gifts of specific individuals within a worship service for in lifting up one we neglect the others. I have never understood putting plaques on the wall in thanksgiving to the biggest givers. There is no one and there are no gifts within the Body of Christ that are more important than another.

Within the congregation the janitor is just as important as the council member. That should apply not only just within the congregation but for the world around us.  Worship is indeed enhanced by the choir - at least in most cases. What would it be like if we walked into the sanctuary and had to walk on old bulletins and candy papers; with empty coffee cups leaning up against the back of the pews? 

The pastor is not more important than the council nor the council more important than the pastor. All, every member of the Body of Christ, are needed to function properly and in unity, for the Word of God to be declared and glorified. 

We are many members. Yet, we are all one in Christ. Let us worship and serve as one that God may be glorified and not any one or group of human beings. To God alone belongs all glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Do What Is Right

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

But ye have not so learned Christ;

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Neither give place to the devil.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." 

                                                                                                  (Eph 4:17-32 KJV)

As Christians we are given new life through the sacrifice of Jesus' blood for us. No matter how hard we try we will also continue to sin. That is our nature. But, we must at least try not give place to evil in our lives. The indwelling spirit of Christ will be there to aid us; to guide us in the way that we should be going. St. Paul admonishes in his letter to the Ephesians to do what is right.

As Christians who are sinners; but, by the grace and mercy of God we are also saints. We have been chosen by God and sanctified by the blood of Christ.  St. Peter wrote: 

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

                                                                                                            (1 Pet 2:9-10)

As Christians we have been set apart. We should be set apart from our old ways of thinking and doing and being.. Let us not live in those old ways; but, in the new life in Christ live that so that we do not dishonor our Father in heaven.

As people of God may God help us by the power of the Holy Spirit to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God has forgiven us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Grow Up

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

                                                                                           (Eph 4:11-16 KJV)

Each and every individual, it does not matter who you are or where you are from, have gifts; have abilities, to serve God and humankind. These God-given gifts are not meant to serve you alone or to enable you to lift yourself up over others. They are given so that as you use these gifts the Body of Christ, the whole people of God, are lifted up and united. By the loving use of the gifts that God has given us through Jesus the Christ we are edified and grow up as members of one Body in Christ.

May God help us to love as He loves so that we might truly grow up united and work together for the good of all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Are One

Valaam Monastery, Russian Karelia

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

                                                                                        (Eph 4:1-6 KJV)

It does not matter where you live geographically; if we live within the Body of Christ, we are members of the same body. We are not separate; but, one in Christ.

Very many years ago, I visited Russian Karelia on a mission trip. I found the region to be very much like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I lived at the time. I also found the people to be very much like the people that lived around me. They were struggling with very much the same issues; except that their poverty level was much greater than ours at the time.

It saddens me that as countries and their leaders battle for political supremacy it seems that we often forget about the people in these foreign countries. It is as if foreign countries are inanimate objects; without flesh and blood or the Spirit. We sometimes seem to forget the many faithful brothers and sisters that live throughout the world. The Body of Christ is beyond comprehension. The members are spread throughout the world. They are in: Syria; Russia; Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Africa; India... They are everywhere; and, yes, even here in the United States. There is only One Body. So let us not forget in our prayers the many members of that body who suffer persecution. As we form our personal political agendas; let love and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ; as well as for all people, guide our hearts, minds, and our actions.

Jesus died so that all who would believe; might have eternal life in His Kingdom. As Christians, may God help us to remember "all lives" that live in every country and kingdom even here on earth.

God's Peace - Pr. J

For The Good Of The Whole Body

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.                                                                    

                                                                               (Rom 12:2-5 KJV)

The world would tell us that it is all about us as individuals. It is about taking care of our own needs and wants first. It is not and yet it is. Life is about each of us as individuals using the gifts that God has given us to serve and glorify God and to serve one another that we might live in unity peaceably. 

It is not about each individual getting what they want in the way that they want it. It is about each of us giving of the gifts that we have been given. Whether we like to admit it or not we do depend on each other. We cannot live without the help of others. We cannot grow or thrive in a vacuum. Families and communities need to be there for each other and to support one another. 

In a very real sense it is also about us as individuals. The individual will use the gifts that they have been given for the good of the whole body in Christ.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

One Body

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:15 KJV)

Let us depart from the idea that we must take care of ourselves first; that we are number one. The first is God. When we abide in Christ we are members of his body joined together with all others who confess that Jesus is the Son of God. 

When Christ abides in us and we in him we are one with one mind serving the Lord and one another. Each member of the body has its particular gifts given to us by God so that the body might be edified and grow in Christ Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

In Fellowship; In Christ

 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

                                                                                  (Acts 2:42-43 KJV)

They continued in fellowship... I suppose fellowship of sorts can be done via social media. But, that is not the fellowship that was enjoyed by those first followers. The coming together to break bread and to pray; being together is what communing is all about. Yes, social media is good to keep in touch with one another when we cannot be together. It is great that we have the opportunity to share the Gospel by means of the world wide web!

But; when it is all over, Christians must gather together to hear the word; to pray; to sing praises; to worship the Lord; to break bread together; and to fellowship with one another. Being a Christian means being a member of the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is one body and not many separate bodies. We cannot delude ourselves into thinking that we can be Christian yet never truly connect ourselves with other Christians. As members of a Body we much be connected in order to be fruitful. As St Paul wrote to the Corinthians: 

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

                                                                                     (1 Cor 12:12-21)

And, once I'm rambling this morning one more question: How are we going to know how to serve others if we cannot ever hear them or see them face to face to know what their needs are? 

I watch many Bible Studies and Worship services online. Many people are hearing the Gospel that have never heard it before because of social mediajust as many people heard the Good News because of St. Paul's letters to the various communities. This safe-distancing that we live with today, in one regard has enabled a great deal of evangelism. It has also put a bit of a hamper on "feeding the sheep" as there are many who do not have social media available to them and that would include many faithful members of the Church. 

I see many small congregations who are either worshiping with social distancing or in their vehicles. I am very grateful for those congregations who are affording those opportunities to hear the Good News and Worship if even at a distance. But, there are many who are not taking advantage of the opportunity. They have found no real alternative ways to continue as evangelists and I cannot help but wonder if they will ever be able to open their church doors back up again. 

I just pray that as we hear the Gospel online, we will not consider this the end all. As soon as it is possible the Body of Christ has a great need to come together in worship; in prayer; in praise; in thanksgiving; in receiving the Sacraments; in breaking of the bread; in fellowship with one another; in community. We cannot succumb to thinking that we can be Christ-like without being connected to the Body of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Are One

 

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                  (Gal 3:26-28 KJV)

Dress down and go shopping in an exclusive store and you will find, in many  cases, eyes watching you as you wander around the shop. The way that we dress and carry ourselves often determines whether we will be targeted as a desirable or an undesirable.

Unfortunately, having served as a pastor for over twenty years, I have witnessed this occurring among some members within some congregations as well. Discrimination against brothers and sisters in Christ; discrimination against anyone is an ugly sinful attribute. 

God does not desire that we should pick and choose who is worthy. He cared enough for all of His creation to send His only begotten Son to die for all people. He loves humankind enough to sacrifice His Son that we might be reconciled to Him and to one another in the Body of Christ. 

May God help us to remember that by faith we are all children of God and are one in Christ Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Gifts For The Glory Of God

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"   

                                                                       (Eph 4:1-8,11-13)

We are all called to serve, according to the vocation that we have been called. If you wonder what that would be for you; how you can serve, then look at your gifts. What gifts has God given you so that you might serve and His children most fruitfully? Consider your talents closely and how they can be used to build up the body of Christ. Do not think so highly of yourself thinking that you can do it all because no one person has all of the gifts necessary. 

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.." 

                                                                                      (Rom 12:4-7 KJV)

God gives to each of us gifts to support and build up on another; to build up the whole body of Christ. When they are used this way these gifts glorify God. We are all members of the one body in Christ. There is a purpose for the gifts that we have been given and it is not to glorify one member of that body; but, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith..."

As members of the body of Christ, may all that we say and think and do glorify our Father in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Celebrations Within The Body Of Christ

First Communion

Sean and Paige with Council President, Pat Ganster

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (1 Cor 10:16-17 NRSV)

I see many daily posts on Facebook from friends who post what they are thankful for. Yesterday, was one of those days that was just full of reasons for thanksgiving for the members of my local church family; all members of the one body.

First, Sean and Paige, two of our young people, who were baptized this past year received their first Communion yesterday. Celebrations of youth who are actively involved in getting to know Jesus truly are joyous celebrations. Everyone loves a celebration. Everyone loves a Baptism. It brings joy to the hearts of the members of the Body of Christ to see young people who desire to share in the body and blood of our Savior; who desire to become members of his body. We are thankful that generations after us have been filled with the desire to know Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God! 

Secondly; we have waited for a long time to hear that Sunnie, a faithful young woman from our church family, would receive her heart transplant. She has struggled with machines and hospital visits with a hope that seemed to have been dashed to the ground an awful lot for about ten years. None of us expected that she would suddenly receive a heart. She had been taken off of the transplant list because her health was failing. But, this past week she was put back on and miraculously received the gift of a new heart yesterday. The surgery was a success. We are so thankful that she will be able to live her life more fully thanks to the gift of a heart by her donor and their family. But, we are also aware that post-surgery recovery for a heart transplant is not easy and ask that you pray for Sunnie's complete recovery. 

As member's of the one body, we thank God for the gift of life here in this world and in the eternal Kingdom given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

By Word and Deed Glorify God

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (1 Col 3:17 NRSV)

Working in a youth correctional facility as a substance abuse counselor, I heard a lot of stories from the young men in group. One of the stories included a fight that started in a church. It happened that a few members of two different gangs went to worship the same morning with their mothers. One of the teens represented his gang by wearing their colors. That did not go over well with the other gang. It was not too long after leaving the sanctuary that he was attacked. 

Representing anything or anyone, other than the Lord, at Worship is just not right. That goes not only for the sanctuary; but, wherever we happen to be. The whole world is the Lord's. As Christians we represent our Lord. In everything that we say or do or no matter where we are, Christians represent the Lord. 

All honor and glory belong to the Lord not to what group or anyone or anything else we might belong to in this world. 

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

One Body

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:4-6)

We may be many; yet, we are one in Christ. We are united in His Body as we abide in him and he in us. We, who are members of this Body of Christ have been called and equipped for service in order that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Do you see what that means? Although our good works contributes nothing toward our salvation; we are called to serve the whole body according to the gifts that have been given to us as individuals for the edification and growth of the body of Christ, who is the Church, who is Jesus the Christ. (Eph 4:12-13)

We must all serve in unity, according to the will of God, with the mind of Christ, who is our head, in order for this maturity to happen. What I've witnessed all too often is that when one person tries to do it all nothing much gets accomplished. Too many frying pans in the fire at one time being handled by one person and something is liable to get left undone or burned. Many congregations and even denominations are like that. We equip only a few for service and growth. If there is any growth, is slow. 

Consider the times that you may have injured an arm or a leg, maybe you had a lung infection or other illness that affected one part of your body. Did that one member of your body not slow you down; maybe, even stop you from doing anything? 

We are all members of one body, meant to work in unity and unison so that the whole body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge and Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So lets get with it and equip all of the saints! Train the members of the body so that together we might grow in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Elders Shine!

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. (1 Tim 3:1-3 NIV)

This morning at our congregation council meeting two members will be appointed to the board. We thank God for bringing us these two new council members. Discerning who it is that God would call to these positions can be difficult at times.

No, not everyone within a congregation should be on the slate of elections as an overseer (council member, elder, etc.) of the congregation or a denomination. It is not always easy to find potential willing candidates for some of these positions of leadership; but, that does not mean that we should not be discerning in whom we choose to lead and serve our communities of faith. It is often more prudent to allow an office to go empty than to call someone whom God has not gifted and called. They must be faithful to God, willing to set aside their personal desires and ambitions in this world. Jesus comes first, always!

St. Paul outlines some basic guidelines for Timothy to use in his position as a leader of the church at Ephesus. They must be faithful to their spouse, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, not given to drunkenness, not violent but, gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.

It is necessary for our servant leaders to be able to conduct their personal lives in a way that the light of Christ and not deeds of darkness is seen by others. We are not; after all, a social club. We are the Body of Christ. Let your light so shine! And... thanks be to God for the faithful members whom He calls to serve as council members and elders.

God's Peace - Pr. J

One Body; Many Members; Many Gifts

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Cor 12:12-13 NIV)

Well, there you have it. We have all been baptized into the one body. If you read Paul's firsts letter to the Corinthians you will find that he advises that the Body of Christ which is the Church needs every part of the body to continue it's mission to proclaim the Gospel; to grow and edify the church. There is not one member of the church on earth that is greater than another. God gives to each of us gifts to be used for His glory. We use them in unison. It does not matter what God has called you to do. Whether you clean the church, type the bulletins, assist at worship, teach Sunday School, sing in the choir, serve on the council; whatever it is that God has called you to do, it is important to the health of the congregation; to the health of the church. Each of these callings contribute greatly to the growth and health of the local congregation. If the bathrooms are a mess it will not matter how awesome the music is. If the greeters ignore visitors it will not matter what the preacher is preaching. If the members of a local congregation of the church on earth do not work in unison with the one mind of Christ it will fail or at the most struggle to survive in the mission to which we are called.

Every individual member in a congregation is important to the life and health of that congregation. There is nothing and no one too small to be unimportant. One of the most common laments that I hear from those who are very elderly is that they can no longer actively serve as they once did. They loved serving God and others through the church on earth and they miss it. But, the truth is "Yes, you can continue serving." You can continue serving by continuing to pray for the congregation and the whole Body of Christ. You can share your love of God with others around you by testifying to the great love you have for Jesus the Christ and for them. After all, St. Paul reminds us that love is the greatest gift of all. (1 Cor 13:13)  You can share the vision that God had inspired within you for your congregation; for your community, with your pastor and with the other members of the Body of Christ. There are many things you can continue in. Not everything has to be or should be visible to the whole congregation. Some things are done quietly; unbeknownst to the majority.

Every single member of the church on earth; every single member of every congregation is an important part of the Body of Christ. None are more important or less important than another. No gifts are less or greater than another. We must strive to work together according to the gifts that God has given to each of us that God may be glorified in all that we say and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J