“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:3-5, NIV)
Evelyn Underhill stayed connected with the established church and counseled on the corporate nature of religion. She wrote, “the Church is in the world to save the world. It is a tool of God for that purpose; not a comfortable religious club established in fine historical premises.” If we are going to actualize her claim, we must put into practice the truth that ministry belongs to the whole people of God. As a pastor, I have heard many times, “I am just a layperson.” Often, people make this statement thinking they are being asked to do something that a “professional Christian” – a pastor or someone working as paid staff in the church – ought to do.
But the phrase, “I am just a layperson” is irreverent and demeaning, denying that God gifts and calls all, offering us the incredible privilege of being co-laborers with God in the world. Writing on the church as the body of Christ, Paul named different expressions of vocation: apostles, teachers, prophets. He listed particular gifts: healing, administration, helping, speaking in and interpreting tongues. He called the New Testament church to celebrate gifts and graces.
In these days of coronavirus, pastors are seeking ways to keep a sense of community alive. Laypeople are blossoming in these creative expressions. A few days ago, a church member was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Hearing the news, a dozen members of his discipleship class organized by phone, went to his home, but did not enter. Practicing “social distancing,” they surrounded the bedroom of his house and sang hymns. Think about the mission of the church as saving the world. That ministry belongs to the whole people of God.
Underhill also counseled that worship was at the center of the mission and ministry of the church. “I feel the regular, steady, docile practice of corporate worship is of utmost importance for the building up of your spiritual life: more important, really, than books. No amount of solitary reading makes up for humble immersion in the life and worship of the church. In fact the books are only addressed to those who are taking part in that life. The corporate and personal together make up the Christian ideal.”
Moment of Reflection: Do you see yourself as gifted for the flourishing of the church?
Prayer: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, enlarge my vision of your church, and enlighten me to see my part in your Body. Amen.
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