There are many metaphors for the church in the bible - house, temple, sheepfold, living stones, bride and body. We find it difficult to NOT think of building when we hear ;church’ yet very few of these images point us in that direction.
Paul extensively draws upon the image of body to help his readers understand that the church is thoroughly organic. By this, he means that Christ joins us together as a living body. Each member of that body has gifts, talents and roles that give life to the world without as well as within.
The church as body obviously has inherent order yet we are not to think too quickly of hierarchy and organisation. We need to celebrate the differences God has appointed to each of us. We need to learn where we best function and bear the most fruit.
With our parish Action Plans fresh in our minds, we can ask ourselves where is Jesus wanting me to serve his body? Movement and re-arrangement will always be necessary to keep Christ’s church truly organic.
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