Are you in SHAPE?

Posted on 17. Apr, 2012 by in Church News

Hey this is Andy!  I found it funny that my doctor thinks I need to get into shape.  I told him I am in shape, round is a shape(haha).  That is not quite what he meant though.  I need to find ways to get more physically fit and loose some excess weight.  I believe that we also need to understand how to get in shape as the body of Christ.  The 80/20 Rule is continuing to be in effect in most churches today.  80% of the work/service/giving is done by 20% of the membership.  I believe part of this problem can be resolved by others being plugged in and understanding how God can and wants to use them.  The other problem is the 20% are doing many things in the church that they are not gifted to do.  I compare this to the toddler shape toys where they try and put a circle shape in the star hole.  It really doesn’t fit.

1Corinthians 12:12-31

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Are you wondering who you are and where you fit in God’s plan?  Are you ready to get in SHAPE?  Learning about your Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences can move you in the right direction.  The Wednesday Night Study group just completed the study, but there are two options for others to get involved with the Youth class and Truth Seekers Sunday School classes.  If you want to get started and be ready for 9:30 Sunday morning or just curious about your spiritual gifts go to www.churchgrowth.org and click on Free Spritual Gift Analysis.  Time to get in shape together!

In Christ,

Andy Tuttle

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