Many Christians believe that the work of ministry belongs to church leaders alone, normally pastors, while the average churchgoer is there just to attend and maybe learn a few things. While leaders are important and given to the church by God, they are not meant to do things by themselves. God gives leaders to the church in order to “equip the saints for the work of service” (Eph. 4:12a). “The saints” refer to all believers, so although teachers do have an important job in equipping Christians, equipped believers are then to do the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12). The goal is spiritual maturity for the body of Christ, where each individual part is doing what it should for the growth of the whole.
Passages like Ephesians 4 are significant because they teach the proper attitude towards community and church. Church is not meant to be a place where someone gets entertained or receives the feels for an hour. It is not a place simply to relax after a long week. The church is a community of believers who are committed to one another and to God’s work, united in Christ. This means there is teaching, accountability, service, grace, and forgiveness. These things should characterize a church much more than programs, cool worship music, retreats, or buildings, though none of those things are bad. They are just not want is foundational for a healthy church.
Loving Christ means loving his church, warts and all, and committing to helping the local church you’re a part of grow in be more like him. Let us join together to follow the ideals set forth by the Apostle Paul. –Isak Lee
One Light Church 