"What is Your Part of the Body of Christ?"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

So, who do you think will win the Super Bowl this year?  Will Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos win, or the Seattle Seahawks, the only NFL football team in the Pacific Northwest? 

 

I ask that question because sports dominate the attention of people in our world today.  Basketball, soccer, football, baseball, and hockey draw tens of thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands of people, to arenas and stadiums to watch, and to participate as spectators. 

 

Sports are so much a part of our culture that most children participate in some kind of sports team.  Soccer teams are popular around the U.S.  In Alaska, more children play hockey than any place I’ve seen.  And, of course, there are basketball and football and baseball leagues for children.  If you talk to one of these children about their participation and ask them, “What position do you play?” they can usually give you an answer.  “I’m a forward or I play defense, or goalie.  I’ m a shortstop or a pitcher.  I play running back or quarterback or linebacker.  I’m a guard or a center.”  Children learn early on that there are different positions on every team.  Each position has a different role, and each position is important to the success of the whole team. 

 

I point this out because it is good to ask, so “what is my position, what is my part in God’s church?”  St. John members, what is your part in this congregation of God in Palmer, Alaska?  Members of any congregation, what is your contribution to the work of God in that place as your congregation shares the love of Jesus?

 

Scripture instructs that each of us have a role or a position of importance in the Church.  1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”  It is God’s plan that each of us are involved in the work of Jesus’ church to share Jesus’ love.

 

But, in today’s world people are so busy that often people look for places where there is low commitment and little expected.  Many who go to church are so busy, or they just don’t want to take on responsibility as a part of the church.

 

Jesus left heaven for us, lived His life for us, was tortured and executed for us, and rose for us.  Jesus acted in love so that we can live in that love and share that love.  So He gives each of us a part or a role or a position in His body.

 

So, “what is your part in the body of Christ?”  Do you have gifts of serving or helping?  Do you have abilities in leadership or administration?  Are you good at comforting others or encouraging others?  When we serve in the Church it is not really the church we are serving.  The Church is a tool of God to spread His love on this earth.  When we use the gifts and abilities God give us, it is Jesus we are serving through His Church. 

 

God has a place for each us!  “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 

 

A Child of God, Seeking to serve as part of the body of Christ,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I will be on vacation the next couple of weeks, from January 28 through February 11.  Kathy and I will be visiting my family in Florida  I will not be writing “Thoughts from the Pastor” those two weeks . . . unless something really strikes me.

 

****

 

ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.