Body of ChristSample

Playing Our Part

Following Jesus is very much a communal affair. Our journey to maturity is not a solo journey. In fact, being human in the first place is relational. We were never meant to live in isolation from others. So it’s no surprise that believers are encouraged to gather together.

And when we gather, it’s not simply to be as an audience to hear a speaker or listen to songs. Our gatherings are not meant to be passive. Though when we consider large gatherings in large churches, it is neither practical nor possible for everyone to have a particular role, as indicated by our text. The advice being given is more applicable to smaller, less formal gatherings. And it was these smaller gatherings that were most common in Paul’s day. The point being that each person could contribute, and each could be equipped by God to play a part.

It’s very different to some models of Christian gathering where a leader dominates, and others’ gifts and insights are not appreciated. Or where individuals come as consumers, wrongly believing they have nothing to say or do. Having individuals play their part does need wise leadership so as to avoid loud voices taking over, or erroneous teaching being conveyed. The aim in all this is not to give everyone a go as an exercise in democracy, but to build one another up on the assumption that we can’t grow all on our own.

Written by DAVID REAY