Functioning Body Parts

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (Acts 12:27 NIV)

There’s an old saying among pastors: Twenty percent of the people do 80% of the work.  The work of the Church is typically done by the few.  Most people involved in churches or campus ministries do one thing well—they faithfully attend the worship service or large group meeting.  Beyond that, the percentages of involvement typically decrease rapidly.  A church of a thousand might have only 200 involved in small groups.  A prayer gathering might attract 20 or so.  

It has been true for a long time that involvement in a church or campus ministry is defined as attending one meeting a week, but as another old saying goes, Christianity is not a spectator sport.  Paul compares the Church to a body made up of many parts.  Although the parts may be “spectators” on occasion (like my foot is “watching” my hands type right now), they are mostly fulfilling a functional role.  Followers of Jesus are a part of His Body.  And this Body doesn’t just sit around doing nothing.  It has a purpose—to do the work of Jesus.  

That work entails drawing people into a deeper relationship with the Lord, meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, spreading the Good News about Him, and seeking justice for the poor and oppressed. The scope and breadth of the work requires all the parts be engaged and active.  

So what about you?  If you are a part of the Body of Christ, what are you doing besides attending one meeting a week?  The Lord has given you gifts so that you can be an effective and contributing Body part (see I Corinthians 12:28-30; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:12-13; I Peter 4:7-11). He does not desire for you to be merely a spectator.   A spectator is really a useless Body part.  

Today consider how you might become an effective part which contributes to the overall work of the Body of Christ.

© Jim Musser 2013