One Body with Many Members

“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.” — 1 Corinthians 12:12–13 (NRSV)

Sir Thomas Beecham, founder of the London Philharmonic and the Beecham Opera Company, once traveled to a city to serve as guest conductor for an orchestra. During the first rehearsal, he quickly realized the musicians were not well trained. As the rehearsal continued, his frustration grew. Finally, after stopping them for the third time at the same place in the score, one of the musicians protested, “Well, just how do you want us to play?” Sir Thomas calmly replied, “Together.”

Friends, for many years I had the opportunity to play team sports—in college, in city leagues after college, and even on our own church softball team. I still have a photograph of one of those church teams. What made those experiences meaningful was not simply the desire to win, but the understanding that every person had a role to play in achieving the goal. And never at the expense of fairness, integrity, or respect for one another. 

The mission of the church is far greater than winning a game. The church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world (Matthew 28:19–20). We are called to be one church, one community of faith, working together toward that holy purpose.

It is truly amazing how far Lakeway United Methodist Church has come in recent years. More than that, it is remarkable how this congregation has weathered storms of adversity, division, and disagreement throughout its history. Not everyone has agreed on every matter of church life. But then again, what family agrees on everything? What we hold in common is far greater than anything that could divide us. We hold in common the grace of God, the love of Christ, and the comforting, transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We share friendships that will last a lifetime. We share the freedom and joy of life in Christ. We share a commitment to Scripture and to our Wesleyan heritage and doctrine. Little by little, we are becoming God’s family in the deepest and most genuine sense of the word. We are learning what it means to become one body for the sake of the Body of Christ. 

I think of Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus: “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16) 

What an amazing vision. Toward the desired goal: love. God’s love. A community of faith where loving God and loving neighbor becomes part of our very being. You may remember my prayer through the years: “Lord, You are doing a new thing. How can we be part of it?” God is indeed doing a new thing among us. But it calls for all of us to work together. There is a place for each of us to serve. God has need of you for the sake of His Kingdom.

See you Sunday. Grace and God’s peace to you,
Pastor Frank (alegria@lakewayumc.org)