One of the most clear and consistent Biblical illustrations is Paul’s comparison of the Church to a body. I’ve always loved the way he used it becuase it’s so simple and easy to understand. After all, everyone can relate since everyone has a body.
As we’re on our journey of discovering more and more about what Church is, I’ve had the opportunity to listen, think, and talk with others about this concept of the Church being the body. More specifically, how does the Church act as a body with Christ as the head?
Again, this illustration is pretty straight forward: the body has tremendous ability to do and accomplish if it works together and is controlled by the head. The body is an amazingly complex set of pieces that must coordinate together to perform even the simplest of tasks. My 14 month old is starting to get the hang of walking, but even something like that, which all of us would say is one of the most basic functions a body can perform, is incredibly difficult and complex for a small child (or for those of us adults who aren’t as graceful as we would like). As we grow and mature, tasks like walking require less concentration as we take on more complex and difficult tasks.
However, the ability to perform functions is totally dependent on the ability of the brain to process and think, the ability of the body itself, and the body’s connection to the brain. If any of these is not fully functional, then the body’s ability to successfully perform is diminished.
I’m of the opinion that the American Church is not a high functioning body. Whether you look at the numbers (attendance isn’t keeping up with population growth) or just observe the general attitude of the culture (church is irrelevant, Christians are judgmental, etc.), you’d have a hard time proving that the American Church is really doing well. So why?
We can eliminate that the head is the problem. Christ is the head, so we’re in good shape there. Is there a problem with the ability that lies within the parts of the body? I don’t think so. It’s not like the parts (people) just stopped having enough ability as time has gone on. That would mean that the problem is the body’s connection to the head.
I see the American Church as a body that suffers from paralysis and spasms. Paralysis is the loss of muscle function, usually caused by a damaged spinal cord, which is the bundle of tissue and cells that carry messages from the brain to the rest of the body and vice-versa. A person that suffers from paralysis is incapable of moving some part of his/her body. The muscles are still capable of movement, but they don’t get the message from the brain to move, so they don’t. This reminds me of Jesus speaking to his disciples in John 15 about the vine and branches. He said “…apart from me you can do nothing.” That’s a great picture of spiritual paralysis. If we (the body) are disconnected from Christ (the head), we can do nothing.
Yet, this is how we often operate. A fully functioning brain and a paralyzed body is a perfect picture for many of our churches. There is a connection to a way of doing things, to a building, to a set of beliefs, to a worship style, even to each other, but there is no connection to Christ. These churches have “forsaken their first love.” When we lose the connection with Christ, we accomplish nothing for the sake of his kingdom because we can’t move.
We’re also a body that suffers from spasms. Spasms are what happens when a muscle or group of muscles contract suddenly and without direction from the brain. They can range from something totally benign, such as an eyelid twitching, to something extremely painful, like a whole group of back muscles seizing up. Basically, what’s happening in a spasm is that muscles are moving and doing things without ever getting a message or permission from the brain. It might not be a big deal, but it can also cause extreme pain.
This is another picture of the American church. A group of body parts that acts without any direction from the head that results in, at the very least, nothing positive, and at worst, severe pain and debilitation for the rest of the body.
With both of these issues, the root issue is that the body is not acting in accordance with what the head wants it to do. The head has a plan for the body, but the body isn’t getting the messages, so instead it does nothing or it does something, but it’s of a spasmic nature. Basically, we’re just not listening to the head. Instead, we listen to our own opinions, biases, and fears, the opinions of “successful” churches, and the surrounding culture.
So I’m really rambling at this point and realize that I need to stop. But I don’t want to just leave this in a dark and negative place. So consider this part 1. Part 2 will be more about what it might look like to have a body that listens to the head. It will show up in a couple of days. Promise.
How is it that you keep hitting the nail on the head while I just keep bending them?
It’s fun being in this experiment with you. My theory is that the Holy Spirit is the spinal column and we’ve neglected Him for so long that we’ve lost communication. I’m hopeful that we can reconnect with Him though and start getting some things right.
Well stated . . . and painfully true. And I totally agree with the first comment as well. Spoke with one of our pastors this morning who is rejoicing in what happens when the Spirit begins to move in the lives of the body. There is nothing like it! People are actually living out the mission of the church . . . and, of course, lives are being changed. Waiting for Part 2.
Is there something in the air? I’ve been writing about the body too, with an emphasis on, “We are many parts of one body and we need each other.”
Good stuff Matt.
Good stuff Matt! Typo in the first paragraph
lol miss you guys.
Part 2?
Part 2 is on there. Is that what you’re asking?
Awesome blog. I believe we’re not witnessing signs, miracles and wonders in the organized church because most organized churches are being led by the “flesh” and not by the “Spirit”.
Thanks, Sheila, and welcome. I agree that relying on our own organizational constructs instead of on how the Holy Spirit may be leading leads us into times where there is a noticeable lack of evidences that God is at work. Be careful not to paint all organized churches with a broad brush though. Just because they appear organized, doesn’t necessarily mean that their trust is in the organization. I believe that the Spirit can lead us into organizing and creating systems. The problem, as with anything, is when our faith and trust for “results” is placed in anything other than God working and moving.