God cued us in on a key element of church growth when He said the Body “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:16). First note that church growth isn’t merely about numbers. Real growth comes when we love God with all of who we are which spills over into loving one another (Matt.22:37-40). That often leads to numerical growth as love attracts people, letting them know we’re His disciples (Jn. 13:34-35). How, then, do we grow and build ourselves up in love? — “as each part does its work” using their spiritual gifts.
Each Part is Needed So Don’t Minimize
Perhaps you’ve heard someone say I’m just a …
lay person.
church secretary.
teacher’s helper.
nursery worker.
Maybe you’ve said or thought the same thing. If so, click on the above link applicable to you. Note how vital you are to the Body of Christ. Each, and every, part is needed, even those that “seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Cor. 12:22). Just because your part may “seem to be” weaker or lesser than another part, doesn’t mean it isn’t needed. That’s our opinion, not God’s. Take time to read 1 Corinthians 12 about God’s design for the Body and each person’s part in it.
If you don’t view your gift as needed, read: Different Functions So All Spiritual Gifts Needed
Each Part is Important So Don’t Compare
Saying “I’m just a …” suggests some sort of comparison. Lay people may compare themselves to professionals. Church secretaries may compare themselves to leaders. Helpers may compare themselves to teachers. Nursery workers may compare themselves to those serving older ages. The conclusion? “I’m just a ….”, meaning “I’m not as important” as someone else.
We need to remember some key factors:
- “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) – To be “one in Christ Jesus” puts us on an equal plane. Just because we fulfill different roles within the Body doesn’t mean there’s a hierarchy in terms of importance.
- “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Rom. 12:6) – God gives spiritual gifts on the basis of grace, not merit. That means no one is better than another.
- “God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Cor. 12:18) – To devalue ourselves is to think God made a mistake with us or to criticize Him for His plan and purposes for our lives.
If you tend to compare yourself to others, read: Caught Up in the Comparison Game?