We Are Members of the Body of Christ

I imagine many of you joined me in watching the Super Bowl this past Sunday. Not much drama in who was going to win the game after the first quarter or so, but even when the game is not so compelling, it is fun to watch. Not only is there the game, but the entertainment (wasn't the National Anthem the best we've ever heard?) and the commercials to keep us glued to the TV.

It is plain to see that Seattle won the game as a team. The players worked well together. The team had a plan, each member knew the role he was to play on the field, and each player carried it out to near perfection. It was quite impressive, to say the least.

As the members of the body of Christ (the church), we, too have a plan, and that plan is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all the world! Sounds like a pretty daunting task, yes? But you and I do not do it alone. We are just one of many who make up the body. And just like a body or a team, we all need to work together to get the task done!

From "The Message" transliteration of 1 Corinthians 12:

 God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people...You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything.

Working together with me are a wonderful staff, and some new players to help in this time of transition. Two Epiphany members have joined the team leading us in the coming months. Sean Barrett has been a member of Epiphany for several years, and is in the final year of his seminary studies. He is a gifted preacher and worship leader, who will be using his gifts primarily as the preacher and worship leader at the Austin Campus. And Pastor Tom Rutherford, who has been a member of Epiphany for a couple of years, but we haven't seen him around too much. Tom has been serving as an interim pastor, most recently at Zion Lutheran in Middletown, where Pastor Sara Cutter has been called to serve. Tom will be assisting me primarily in areas of pastoral care and leadership. Tom also serves as a chaplain for Hospice of Dayton. We are blessed to have both of these men share these gifts with us. I encourage you to welcome them and thank them for their time and talents.

The Good News we share is that we are on a winning team. The victory has already been won for us in Jesus Christ, and now all we have to do is go out and claim it, and share it! Thank you for being a member of the team - the body of Christ!

Peace,

Pastor Charlie