Read the following scripture passages and then reflect on the question below.
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Reflect: Reflect on what this scripture says about being connected in the body of Christ and with one another through The United Methodist Church.
Lisa Odonnell says
This is one of my favorite passages of scripture.
Y’all have seen me say that I need to remember that we are all differently gifted…this is a good place to examine that.
It would be awfully difficult and boring if we were all alike, and I don’t believe that God wants us to worry about that, even if we do.
In the running of any ministry or project, all sorts of folks are needed, so we have to be determined that the ministry is the most important thing—not cramming others into our box.
As this relates to the UMC, I’ve seen multiple layers of connection, both in my previous and now current church. From disaster response to new church plants and avoidance of collapse, many people and many gifts have been required to keep the boats afloat.
The more, the merrier, I think.
Shannon says
This scripture pairs along with the BOD paragraph 203 that says ” the local church is a connectional society”. It is in our very essence to connect with others and other churches!!! It also reminds me that we cannot do any of this alone! Our cohort is a microcosm of that as we all are very different but are connected by this program and our beliefs. We have formed friendships and bonds that will transcend this program. Also Bishop Carder states in his book “The church’s identity and mission are rooted in God. As a community called into being for the purpose of participating in God’s life and mission in the world, the church must live its divine identity and mission.”
All of this says to me we are not meant to be an island but a vital part of the fabric of the community which it represents.
Also I haven’t shared a song in a few weeks so here it is from Casting Crowns… one of my favorites. ” If we are the body” https://youtu.be/SExJ9od-0zQ?si=mKugPi7qeDNCL2c4
Mary McLeod says
Module 4 Week 1 Monday Scripture reflection
Although I was brought to my church as a child, I didn’t stay, and only really became interested in the functioning of the church in the last few years. And I have learned a lot! I was recently reading and reflecting on the various committees run by the annual conference. I really studied the different kinds of committees to see what causes and tasks resonated with me and to see what I might be able to offer as a committee member. I hope you all had a chance to read over those as well. The variety of opportunities to serve would surely encompass people with a variety of spiritual gifts, each positioned in such a way that each committee is a connection between the local church and the general conference in a very specific way. Just like Paul writes, each member is called to a specific task for the edification of the body of Christ according to their gifts and talents. I would never serve on Insurance or Pension Committees because I don’t have the knowledge base, nor would I be able to serve with UMCOR or DCOM because of time constraints, but I would be really interested in COSROW, Safe Sanctuaries, Social Causes, or Ecumenism. I’m sure others of you would choose something else according to your spiritual gifts and each is important for the way we do connectionalism in the UMC. This is just one example of that connectionalism within the UMC, but the connectionalism fosters accountability and relationship, which I believe was John Wesley’s intent.
sjatko says
Thank you, Mary, for pointing out the need to use our gifts on conference and district committees. I feel convicted to look closer at those invitations. Sue Ann
Rick Stanford says
All of our churches are interconnected from the district level to the conference level, to the state, and on to other countries. It is through this connection that, we work together to understand Gods Will and work together in mission. Size does not no matter and there is not a measurement as to who is better, we are all one in Unity and in mission.
sjatko says
Thank you, Rick. It’s not easy taking the time for discernment to hear God’s will and understand the particular mission a person and a church are called upon to do. And I think the call always includes others , not in isolation, and together we join in The Mission. Sue Ann
Jeanne Gregory says
It said you can never stand in the same river twice. Love you analogy!
Jeanne Gregory says
There is a lot going on in our town of Corinth. Big city, big lights, a young church trying to find their way…
We need to back up a little to Chapter 11. Chloe, who only needs a first name is mentioned. Her household reported that dissension is occurring, division on some key points, viewpoints that may or may not be important, but they are loud….sometimes loud wins the day, doesn’t it? The church is divided on important concerns, and on not-so-important concerns…we have all been there.
And so Paul begins chapter 12. Every part, every committee, every foot and hand are needed..not one part is more important. Our churches everywhere, including the UMC need to remember the connectional relationship of each part. The shawl ministry involves the prayer team which hands off the shawl to the Stephen Minister who takes it to the hospice center where a person who gets it feels needed, loved, cared for. Paul is a little too negative for my liking. I wish he would have gone down the positive road and explained how the Holy Spirit enables each of us to use our gifts, passing on what we do to the next one and onward it goes…
Do you remember being little and making a Christmas chain? The whole class got in on it and fairly soon, it wrapped all around the room. Some used scissors, others colored, others were at the tape table…we all felt good when the teacher hung it up..remember that the next time your committee goes a little sideways…remind them that they are important, needed and loved, maybe make a chain of their gifts..it might bring a smile…jg
rmorrison says
Interesting thoughts Jeanne. I like the concept of doing the Christmas chain, something I have not thought about in (forgive me) probably 60+ years. That may be something that needs to be discussed with many congregations. Actually, that might be a good Ministry Project that can be shared at Annual Conference level. For sure, everyone can be involved in the Christmas chain and the implication can be very dynamic. Dick
Rick Stanford says
Jeanne, I am amazed at your knowledge of the reasons behind some of Paul’s letters. This isn’t the first time that you have started with a little history before moving forward with your thoughts.
Mary McLeod says
This gives me a great idea for a church council activity; members can write their spiritual gifts on the chain links
sjatko says
I think one of the beauties of the UMC connectional system is the way we depend on the different gifts and skills in a small context – the local church – and the larger functional context of even just the conference. No one person, no one congregation, has all it needs to fulfill the mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world. Just taking the appointment of pastors, the cabinet has the responsibility to look at the needs of all the conference churches and find the best person for a particular place and time. And each individual church needs a different pastor for a particular time to fulfill their mission. To take it down to me as a CLM, I may think I know what St Francis needs from me and calls me, but the DS has a larger view and may think I best serve Jesus in a different role. Sue Ann
Jeanne Gregory says
You are so right about the larger view. We may see the trees, but someone else can see the entire forest..jg
rmorrison says
Sue Ann, the fact that the DS and the Cabinet have larger views of church leadership needs/talent is very good. Thanks for sharing that thought with us. Dick
Lusi Radford says
Thank you Sue Ann. I love your prospective.
Rick Stanford says
Sue Ann, I like how you started with the gifts of those in the local church to the appointments of pastors (you problem have some great in site to this from your family) to what our DS’s may be led to do with us. All part of Gods plan……
Mary McLeod says
I love how you said no one person is responsible for making disciples for the transformation of the world. It takes all of us, using our gifts and stepping into our calling, working along with God for that to really happen.
rmorrison says
One week ago I mistakenly wrote about this question, so today I can re-visit the question. To begin with, some folk may think the United Methodist Connectional system “might” be likened to an hierarchical (pyramid model) organizational structure in the business world; however, in the business world that structure defines “levels” of management decision making that is normally very clear and those decision levels simply must be observed.
However, that is not entirely true for the Methodist connectional system, which in my mind can be defined as to how Methodist churches are connected to each other all around the world. Indeed, as I pointed out we have many Conferences, including Charge, Annual, Jurisdictional, General, etc. and to some extent many various decisions are made at those levels. I pointed out that for example the Jurisdictional Conference delegates selects new bishops who have been nominated by Annual Conference delegates, but the Jurisdictional Conference does not dictate where they will be posted. Indeed, all United Methodist churches are connected to other churches around the world seeking to fulfill the Methodist worldwide mission of “making disciples for Jesus Christ.”
Moreover, every individual within an individual church has different talents; some are pastors and can preach, some are teachers and can lead studies, some are gifted in finance so they can monitor church finances, etc. But, in the church they are all connected (like a team) to work towards the vision of the church – which is to make disciples for Jesus Christ in our church – and all over the world.
So, Methodist churches around the globe can work together to achieve the vision of making disciples, and the individuals within a church are connected through their different talents, to achieve not only the overall Methodist mission, but to be sure the functional activities of the church are served well and meet various goals.
Since last week I have also been reading more thoughts on “connection” in our church by Bishop Kenneth Carder in his book “Living our Beliefs.” He defines and suggests that we visualize the Methodist connection as a “living organism” rather than a large bureaucracy – and also as a “missional strategy” of the church. This is very clear to me and I am pleased to be able to answer the question of Methodist connection as a “living organism” rather than a large bureaucracy. And I like the fact that by being connected it serves to guide us strategically in our worldwide mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ.
blessings.
Dick
Jeanne Gregory says
A living breathing organism; I like that! Growing, ever-changing. Thank you DM! jeanne
Lusi Radford says
You are Right, Dick. We all have a part to share in the world wide making of disciples. I am fascinated by all the layers of Methodism. It is so different from what I knew before I joined AFUMC.
Lusi Radford says
I have only been a Methodist for 7 1/2 years. I am still learning about our denomination. I picture it as more of a body of water starting with a very small stream. The individual members are small trickles of water which join as small streams (the local congregation) to eventually become a very large body of water. Each person or larger group has its special part to play in God’s plan. All are playing a part in God’s plan for Methodism in the world.
sjatko says
Nice image of water all flowing to the sea, Lusi! Every drop counts and contributes.
Rick Stanford says
Lusi, though I have grew up a methodist, I feel a bit like you when it comes my understanding of the Methodist Church as a whole.