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At Hunter Street, we believe "every member is a minister." As we continue to grow in our faith and relationship with Christ, we know one way we can respond to His commands is to serve Him in ministry.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 gives us a vivid picture of this. Paul compares the ministry of the church with the human body. He points out that while each of the parts of the body are different and have their own function, they only find their full significance in their relationship with the whole body. And so it is in the church--while each church member may perform a unique function in the life of the church, their greatest significance will come when they realize their interconnectedness to the body of Christ!
There are several principles that come from the "one body" approach to ministry found in the Bible:
- God planned for us to be one body. We are all created uniquely by God with different gifts, talents, and abilities. Yet we all make up the "body of Christ." It has been God's purpose from the beginning that many will become one to accomplish His purposes.
- The Spirit of God keeps us together. Regardless of rank, status, or ethnicity we are knit together by the Spirit of God.
- God builds the body to match the assignment. God knows the work and mission for which the local church was born. He will send to the local church the parts needed for the church to perform its function.
- All the parts of the body rely and depend on each other. For the church to function as the body of Christ it is necessary for all the parts to work in harmony and unity. We all need each other. The success of the whole depends on the success of each individual part. Each and every ministry is important.
It is with these principles in mind that "every member is a minister" at Hunter Street. The success of ministry at our church depends on every member discovering and using his /her unique gift(s) and finding a place of service. |