[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 19/Jan/2020]
“Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function].”
1 Corinthians 12:27 AMP
As we meet together as Churches of Horley today, what unites us?
Each church is different in the way their Sunday services run. One may focus on the Father heart of God, another on the Saviour Jesus, another on healing through the Holy Spirit. Just as each person is individual and has different gifts, so each Church is individual and has different gifts to use to reach others. One church might be more gifted in social action, providing for the poor and marginalised. Another might be a place of healing and refuge for those wounded. Yet another might be particularly gifted in local evangelism, and church down the road sends a disproportionate number of their members to missionary work. One may have a heart for the elderly and another called to serve young Mums.
Should every church look the same? Or does each Church show a different face of the multifaceted God that we worship? We each are a part of a bigger body of Christ and together we are united in our desire to follow Jesus and show Him to the world.
Father, thank You for Your beautiful, multicultural, intergenerational family, gathering today in so many countries. Revive and sanctify us, we pray. Make us a house of prayer for all nations. And set our hearts on fire again with the good news of Your gospel.
Amen
24-7 Prayer Lectio 365 12.1.20
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Contributed by Fiona Witherden; © Fiona Witherden