Growing As the Body of Christ

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27

As we move into the summer months, we enter the church season after Pentecost, which is a season for renewing our commitment to being Christ’s body on earth and to growing in our faith and followership of Jesus. During this season, while we witness growth around us in nature and get more active outdoors in our physical bodies, we are called to grow and move as the church, the Body of Christ, too.   

So what does it mean to be the Body of Christ, and how do we grow as this body? As followers of Jesus, we are drawn together by the Spirit into something greater than ourselves, with a purpose of accomplishing God’s work in the world. We are a formed into a Body made up of different parts working together, each uniquely gifted by the Spirit to serve diverse roles, all of which are needed.  And, just like our physical bodies need nutrition, rest, and exercise to grow and stay strong, we too need spiritual rest, nutrition, and exercise to keep healthy as the Body of Christ. 

We receive rest when we come to worship God together, when we lay our burdens before God in prayer, and as we support one another as a faith community. We receive nutrition as we study and hear God’s Word and receive nourishment through the sacrament of Holy Communion.  And we exercise when we each use and share our own unique gifts that God has given us as critical parts of His Body.  We get stronger when we engage with our community and actively participate in the ministries of the church both inside and outside our walls.  We become a healthier Body when we come together to participate in spiritual rest, nutrition, and exercise as a community of faith.

This Pentecost summer season, especially during this time of transition, is an excellent opportunity for Lord of Life to grow as the Body of Christ.  I hope you will reflect on what unique part of Christ’s body God has called you to be, and consider how you might exercise your part, remembering that God and your faith community are with you to support you and give you rest and nutrition along the way.  And as this Body comes together and strengthens one another, to discover together how God will continue to use you for building God’s Kingdom in the Brighton area and beyond. 

Peace,

Pastor Kristin