Ministry-ment #3 - "Be the Body of Christ."

It is a strange thing we do every Sunday.  

On Fridays, I do another thing.  It is curling night!  No, this isn’t Olympic or Briar level curling.  It is a recreational league; a bunch of people getting to enjoy a game together and then sit around tables sharing stories and laughing (mostly).  We relive the great shots and bemoan the missed opportunities.  Most importantly, we simply enjoy being friends who share a passion for a game.  It is great fun and I love every minute.

Yet, there is something unique about the Sunday event.  There is the social part.  But somehow it is different.  There is the sharing stories and life part.  But somehow it is different.  There are the “great shots” and “missed opportunities.”  But somehow, they are different.  

What makes the difference?

The church is not a club.  It is not just an organization.  As important as being organized is, even more important is understanding - and being a part of - the church as an organism.  What happens when we gather is not just an event or an experience.  It is also the unification of parts of a body into a whole.  It may only last an hour or two but coming together as one in Christ is at the very core of what it means to be a Christian.  

Thus, we have “Ministry-ment” #3 - Thou shalt be the Body of Christ.

Maturing in our faith, or as Peter called it, “growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (2 Peter 3:18) is not a purely academic process.  Grace received from God is one thing.  Grace extended to other image-bearers (whether they are followers of Jesus or not) is another.  Understanding doctrine at an intellectual level and living a faith that embraces humility, loves the unlovable, suffers loss for the sake of Christ, and is marked by gentleness is something quite different.  These are the skills in life that demonstrate the veracity of our faith.  If we desire to represent Christ well in our families, communities, and workplaces, then what better place to learn and practice those skills than in the Body of Christ?

Being the Body of Christ - the Church - is much more than just socializing once a week on Sunday mornings.  We don’t gather to get our spiritual vitamins for the week.  We don’t gather to have a positive social experience with like-minded people.  We don’t gather to be big fish in a little pond.  We don’t gather to demonstrate organization excellence.  We gather because we are all parts of something bigger than ourselves.  We gather to be united as one, sharing one faith, one Spirit, one baptism, one God and Father, and one hope (Eph. 4).

We gather so we can encourage one another, learn together, serve one another, share our celebrations and laments.  We come to support those who are hurting or carrying burdens.  We come to continue learning of the nature of our faith, to sharpen our skills for engaging in life as God’s image-bearers.  We come to remember the nature of our faith, of Christ’s work on the cross.  We remember our hope, we confess our sins, we extend forgiveness if anyone has offended us and receive forgiveness from those we have offended.  Clearly, the Body of Christ is a place where there is an authentic, intimate dynamic of interdependence.  After all, Jesus did not say, “they will know you are My disciples by your organizational effectiveness.”  He did say, “they will know you are My disciples because you love one another” (John 13:35).

Loving relationships can be dangerous and costly.  God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (John 3:16).  We love one another, giving preference to one another, honouring one another, serving one another, all at the risk of being hurt or of even causing hurt.  This needs grace extended to each other.

Coming together on Sunday is just the highlight of these relationships.  The Body of Christ functions 24/7, seven days a week.  Our engagements outside that hour - praying for one another, caring for one another, encouraging one another - are just as important as what happens during our weekly gatherings.   Because we are compelled by Christ’s love, we take risks for each other.  We risk being willing to trust.  And we guard the trust of others.  We practice gentleness when we may be offended.  We are patient.  We cry with those who cry and rejoice with those who rejoice.  The heart of this living organism beats constantly because it is the heartbeat of Christ who loves and gave Himself for His Church (Ephesians 5:25).  

Being the living, organic Body of Christ is demanding.  We cannot do it on our own.  Thankfully, the Spirit of God is the One who gives us life, both individually and collectively.  We don’t conjure it up.  And because it is not sourced in us it cannot be destroyed by us.  Yes, we may do damage to one another because we continue to struggle as sinful beings.  But the Body of Christ will continue.

I love gathering with other members of the Body, whether during the week or at our weekly gathering.  I love seeing and hearing how God’s grace is at work.  I am encouraged to know I’m not alone in my struggles.  And I love being the recipient of grace - both from God and His people.

The Body of Christ is a safe, gracious place to be when it exists organically, unified by the Spirit.  Let me encourage you to get plugged into one.  There is nothing better than belonging to a Body!