By Terry Clark
If I were to ask members of a church if they love their church, I believe those who attend would overwhelming answer yes. What would be the response if I were to ask the same members if they love their church family?
Since graduating from college and getting married, Teresa and I have always lived away from our parents. Out of necessity, we learned to lean heavily on our church family wherever we lived. I cannot imagine a life without our wonderful church family, because they have always been a source of strength, support, encouragement, and love. I know that my parents believe(d) the same about their church family!
While my family has leaned on church family through the years out of necessity, according to scripture it is not a choice but required. By God’s design, the church is the body of Christ with Christ being the head. Christians complete the body by being one of many members (Romans 12:5, I Corinthians 12:12).
According to scripture, we cannot profess to be a member of the body of Christ and be independent and/or detached from the active working of the body. Scripture requires every Christian member of the body of Christ to do their share to cause growth of the body and edification (Ephesians 4:15-16).
Everyone who loves their earthly family will be actively engaged with family. More so, every Christian who truly loves their church will be actively engaged with their church family. The church of our Lord is not something to attend; it is the body of Christ of which we must be an active member.
There is so much work to do in the Kingdom, and it takes every member (junior to senior) doing their part. Each member has a vital role in the proper function of the body.
Last Sunday the elders presented the congregation with a plan for renewed focus on evangelism; the plan included a list of coordinators responsible for various areas of outreach. Please reach out to the evangelism coordinators and get plugged in, because every Karns member has wonderful, varying abilities, and something to contribute!