reflections on what does it mean to be the body of Christ

It's an intriguiging and most important question for Christians of all denominations and fellowships to not only consider, but to wrestle with. It has far less to do with decided who's "in" and who's "out", and everything to do with understanding who God is, who we are, and what are real mission is.

There were some interesting responses to the questions posed with the context of the overarching theme. One person, rather than share their thoughts, merely agreed that they, too, would like to find the answers to these questions. Two others offered their thoughts to the mix. [you can read them by checking out the comments below the August 2nd post]. What is interesting are the differences and the similiarities between the two respondents. But here's my take on the questions posed...

How would you define 'the Church'? The Church is the body of Christ, with Christ as the head. That is, the body of Christ are all believers, every where, who confess Jesus as Savior and Lord, who have confessed both their own sinfulness, and their need for a savior, who have/are experiencing the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, who, by that same Spirit, are disciples of Christ, living changed lives, and have joined, where possible, for regular worship with fellow believers. That's a mouthful, and I'm sure the argumentative amongs us might find something to pick over or add to the mix. Note that I also consider that there really is no difference between "Church" and "body of Christ". They are one and the same.

Why do Christians need the Church? Simply put, as we read throughout the epistles, Paul, James, Peter, and Jude, are all writing to a group of believers, not a single person (please note: Paul's letters to Timothy are not considered epistles). As such, the implications are for the general body of believers as much as and more so than just for individual believers. So, when Paul says, work out your salvation with much fear and trembling, their's an implication that we are to be doing this together, in the context of the body of Christ. Church is not an option in as much as it's an option. Any American who considers themselves a Christian has every responsibility to pray for and be led to a body of believers, regardless of how imperfect that body may be. There are too many American Christians who have adopted the cultural standard of consumerism and applied it with gusto to how they go about picking, participating, and, sadly, staying at their local church. That's not to say that there aren't bad churches. But too often your typical Christian cuts and runs at the first sight of trouble. But how about this: does God ever call His people to stay and resolve things? Hmmm. We need the Church, plain and simple. Gathering as the Body of Christ on Sunday mornings or evenings is our part of our overall purpose to worship and glorify the Triune God. And in gathering as the body to worship Him, we realize the very nature of God as Triune, that God is the divine community that He calls us to imitate, and is bringing us to be a part of. I could go on.

Can a person be a Christian, that is, be saved in the name of Jesus Christ, apart from being a part of the Church? One respondent said, 'yes and no'. I think this is the most correct answer, though it would probably bother all who like 'black and white' answers. The ultimate answer is, of course, 'NO'. Once one is saved, you are a part of the Church. Christ does not save individuals for the sake of saving individuals. He saves them for a purpose, of which being saved for being a part of the Church, the divine community on earth that will one day be brought to perfection, is that chief part. Our individual salvation is part and parcel of being the Church. That is, there is a mystery to our salvation by which we are working out that salvation as being a part of the Body of Christ. God does not save individuals - He saves the nations, that is, He has called out a people who were not a people, who are now the people of God. There is no such thing as a 'lone ranger' Christian. He or she who thinks they are saved and don't need to participate in the local body are, I think, in for some sort of trouble along the way to Heaven's proverbial gates. If one has made a profession of faith, and then thinks they need not be a part of a local body, I would have serious misgivings concerning that person's profession or their understanding of what it means to be a Christian. At the same time, the answer is what I might call a partial 'yes' in that being a part of a local church does not automatically insure one's salvation, any more than my going into and sitting down on my garage's floor makes me a car. Attending all that the local church has to offer is not equated with salvation. God isn't sitting around checking off our attendance, or how many of our local church's weekly activities we've taken advantage of. This is not about earning our way into heaven via good church attendance. It's completely a heart issue. Do we not realize that we need one another because God has saved us to be His people, not just His person. I've essentially answered the last two questions in this one paragraph. I've met people who say, "I love Jesus, I just don't like the Church", and think that excuses them from participating in the local body. I've met some who say, "I don't need the local church, the leaders are corrupt, ect., ect., yada, yada, yada", and they think that God is looking down on them with a smile, thinking, "well done, good and faithful servant." Hmmmmmm. Don't think so. For one thing, we are interdependent upon one another. To withhold yourself from participating is tantamount to withholding who you are from God. It is hubris, plain and simple. It is ignorance of who God truly is, what He has saved you for. If you have found your local church's elders and/or pastor "corrupt" or not right, have you prayed about whether or not God is calling you to leave? If you have concluded that is so, humbly go about finding a new body of believers to call "home". There is no excuse for the believer who is disassociated from any and all churches. That person either deceived, and is not a believer, or they are ignorant of Scripture.

An Episcopal priest at the church where I first started doing full time youth ministry once said to me, "people don't believe in the devil, they should come work in the church." The Church is not an easy place to "live", let alone work. The moment you think you've found the "perfect" church, it will cease to be as soon as you join. And yet, the Church is the bride of Christ, too. When Paul tells men and women to submit to one another, wives submit to your husband, Paul also tells husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the Church - that is, be willing to live in such a way as you would be willing to die for your wife. Paul makes this important illustration based on God's fervant devotion to and love for the Church. If this is the heart of God, then we as those saved by God's love must understand that we are to be a part of the local church in order to understand God, and live out of His grace. It is being a part of the body that the Holy Spirit, in part, uses to transform us more and more into the image of the Son. It is joyful obedience to be a part of the Church, even when it's tough. But it is our calling.

Thoughts? Let me know...

what does it mean to be 'The Body of Christ'?

I've been a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ in the making, for over twenty years. Over that time, I've met more people than I can count, some who are fellow disciples, as well as many who would never identify themselves with Christianity. A good number have had some interesting things to say about both the Church, and the body of Christ.

Here are some questions to consider:

1) How would you define 'the Church'?

2) Would you use a different definition for 'the Body of Christ'? If so, why?

3) Why do Christians need the Church?

4) Can a person be a Christian, that is, be saved in the name of Jesus Christ, apart from being a part of the Church?

5) Need one regularly attend and participate in the life of a church in order to truly be saved? Why? Why not?

If you have any thoughts or opinions on these matters, please consider taking some time to thoughtfully respond. I have my thoughts, and in time, I'll share what I think the theologically correct answer is. It could be that you will share it before I get the chance. But don't worry, I'll chime in my six cents! All to the glory of the Triune God!!!

My Short-Term Missionary Prayers

The following are prayers are a result of our church's recent short-term mission to North Dakota. I wrote them down as the final part of team's daily morning devotions, as a response to corresponding scriptures for each day, and as a response to what I found in my heart as a result of reading and praying to prepare for each day. They are neither profound nor eloquent, but I felt moved to post them, to share them as a benefit to any who might be moved to pray more, as well as encourage all who were a part of the team or supported its purpose.


July 9, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 42:1-3

Holy God, Heavenly Father, You know my struggles and fears, and You know my desires and hopes for this mission. Help me to not be fearful. Rather, increase my faith and trust in You. Over the many twenty years I have known You, and the several years You have led me and this team out here, You have shown, You have proven Yourself worthy of faith and trust. Help me this day, by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, to remember who You are, and who I am in You. Give me the courage to do what is before me - give me the strength in Christ to do all things. All this I pray in Jesus' name - Amen.

July 11, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13

Heavenly Father, I would focus on You this day, and not my worries, thoughts, or fears. Forgive me, Father, for allowing them to dominate my heart. Instead, I pray, please fill my heart with Your peace, and help me to look to You for my sufficiency and strength. Let me be filled with Your joy and Your love. I do praise You for this day, and I thank You for another day of life. Be my God; help me to be Your son. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

July 12, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 60:1-22

Heavenly Father, I give You thanks for the many people who were used by You to draw me into Your kingdom and grow me in faith. I thank you for Patrick Young, Pete and Dorothy Berner, John Gleichman, Lawn Dixon, Al and Barb Condit, Norm and Melissa Jones, Fr. Dan Sullivan, Jim and Dale Cirillo, and Ben and Amy Sheldon. I also thank You for the students I've been able to be light for... students at Good Sam, children on Standing Rock, students from Ascension, and students from Narberth Presby. I also lift up to You [my kids], and pray that You would help me bear Your light to them. Help me to both receive from and give Your light to my dearest Sarah, and I ask You to bless my family this day, as we are apart from one another. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

July 13, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Heavenly Father, I thank You for another day of life, and thank You for Your patience with me. Today, I know I struggle with a selfish, self-focused spirit - I want a 'break' from what we're here to do - I want a 'day off.' Forgive me for "needing" to be encouraged, for being less than passionate and excited for this day. Yet, I am hopeful for what today can and will be. I know that what You've called me to do is first anchored in who You've called me to be - that You called me to be Your son. Help me to live out of that place of being, out of that knowledge. Help my confidence to be rooted in You, and the transforming power that is at work in me. It is great joy to see our team work so well this year. It is joy to know that we are seeking to be faithful to You. May our desires and effort bring You glory. I praise You and give You thanks - In Jesus' name. Amen.

July 14, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 66:1-24

Heavenly Father, Gracious God, You have brought me to this day, and I give You thanks for another day of life. Please help me to be a good, godly, and loving team leader. Please help the team to keep its focus and know who it is in You. Lord God, help us to boldly proclaim Your glory among the nations. Contiue to jazz us up with excitement over who You are. I praise You and give You thanks -In Jesus' name. Amen.

July 15, 2005

corresponding scripture: John 1:1-5 and Matthew 16:13-20

Heavenly Father, I thank You for another day of the journey; another day of experiencing and knowing Your faithfulness. As we come toward the end of this mission, help me to refocus with the rest of my journey in mind. Continue to grow me in love, hope, grace, and trust, that I may be more like You. May Your Holy Spirit grow me, and continue to transform me, even this day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

July 16, 2005

corresponding scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Heavenly Father, grant me this day the opportunity to enjoy my time with these students. Help me to find new things to appreciate about them. Help them to know that I love them and like them. May we leave this mission field with our eyes open to the fields before us. Help us to love each other, and be the Church. Grant us an understanding of Your kingdom, that we may be one through Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Last Thoughts About the Mission

This mission to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota does not happen in a vacuum. First, it is predicated on God's call to us to be His people, and to share His message of reconciliation with the world through Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Second, it is predicated on those afore mentioned relationships, as well as relationships between those of us at Narberth Presbyterian, and the many Christians serving Christ on Standing Rock, not the least of whom are the Revs. John and Sloane Floberg. Third, it is predicated on our relationships with one another, whether they be youth ministers, youth, congregation, supporters. Our relationships are somehow mysteriously connected to God through His Holy Spirit.

I know, this is a mouthful, and I'm very verbose. But all of this is to say that this mission trip isn't about "us" going to "them" with all the solutions to "their" woes. It's about relationships (as spelled out above, and then some) that are rooted in the Triune God's love and grace for us, between us, and from us. I'm excited to have been a part of this mission in some form or fashion for over 14 years. Praise God. I hope these prayers are insightful into how God has worked not only in my own life, but in the life of the 2005 Standing Rock mission team. Thanks be to God!!!

North Dakota

I've just realized that it's been a month since my last entry; not good for someone who wants to be a regular contributor to the internet hearths and kitchen table discussions. But all of that aside, it's been a busy time. Last month saw me shifting into high speed preparations for and then leading our church's annual mission trip to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota.

Here it is, almost the end of July, and I'm wondering where the time went. Our church put on it's Vacation Bible Club (VBC) in the last week of June. My family got together with relatives twice during the July 4th holiday weekend. Our mission team celebrated our prep to go with our family and team supper. And then we left, Friday, July 8.

That was almost two weeks ago, and it's hard to believe that this year's mission to North Dakota is finished and in the history books. During our time in ND, our team of nineteen strong, plus four college students who were working for the church out on the reservation, split our team into a VBC team and a youth ministry team - two missions within one - which did their ministry programming simultaneously. Praise God that people responded to our heartfelt requests for many prayers for everything, from the mundane, such as good weather, to the explicit, for the Lord to use our team to either bring kids to Him, or grow them in Him. It was very exciting to watch everyone in our team with something to contribute, and to watch time and time again people stepping up and doing more than was asked of them.

I hope to have a number of posts here, all prayers of mine, from most days of the mission. All in all I can only give thanks to the Lord, who called us to go to Standing Rock for the ninth year in a row, and provided all that we needed to make children and youth to feel welcome and loved by Christ Jesus. Please check back and see what I've posted in prayer!

what's the difference between the church and a para-church?

I'm looking for your input, if you're out there. Here's the question on my mind: 'what's the difference between the church and a para-church?' This is an ongoing question between myself and other fellow youth ministers (in my Philly suburb context), and I'm wondering what you think about it. Before you answer, I want you to think about it. This is not a question to answer off the cuff, from the hip, or from any other part your anatomy until you've prayed about it, and looked over scripture. But I want to know what you think. It is important to think about the answer. Consider the implications. Consider the broader picture of scripture than just one verse (that you're probably proof-texting). Answer it, and then reply to me. I'm interested in what you have to say. The Church is important. It's important that we understand what it is, what it isn't, and why God loves it so. I look forward to your reply.