We Are the Body of Christ
October 16, 2015
1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
In one of my daily devotionals, Dave Wilkinson adapted a story by Paul Kaak about the local church. This story compares the church to two different ships, one a cruise ship and one a rescue ship. “On a Cruise Ship people expect to be served. On a Rescue Ship people expect to serve. On a Cruise Ship the staff takes care of the passengers. On a Rescue Ship those on board take care of one another. On a Cruise Ship gratification comes from the comfort and the beautiful scenery. On a Rescue Ship gratification comes from participating in the mission. On a Cruise Ship relationships are superficial. On a Rescue Ship relationships are close-knit and meaningful. On a Cruise Ship not much is expected of the passengers. On a Rescue Ship every person has an assignment and participates in the mission. On a Cruise Ship the thrill comes from the food, service, and entertainment. On a Rescue Ship the thrill comes from accomplishing the mission. On a Cruise Ship you hear, “I like this” or “I don’t like that.” On a Rescue Ship you hear, “How can I help?” On a Cruise Ship the energy is put into those who are “on board.” On a Rescue Ship the energy is put into those who are “out there.” On a Cruise Ship the captain responds to the people’s requests. On a Rescue Ship the people respond to the captain’s orders. On a Cruise Ship everyone rejoices when they get to sit at the captain’s table. On a Rescue Ship heaven rejoices when even one who is lost is saved.” What kind of ship are you, and what kind of ship are we as a church?
In one of my daily devotionals, Dave Wilkinson adapted a story by Paul Kaak about the local church. This story compares the church to two different ships, one a cruise ship and one a rescue ship. “On a Cruise Ship people expect to be served. On a Rescue Ship people expect to serve. On a Cruise Ship the staff takes care of the passengers. On a Rescue Ship those on board take care of one another. On a Cruise Ship gratification comes from the comfort and the beautiful scenery. On a Rescue Ship gratification comes from participating in the mission. On a Cruise Ship relationships are superficial. On a Rescue Ship relationships are close-knit and meaningful. On a Cruise Ship not much is expected of the passengers. On a Rescue Ship every person has an assignment and participates in the mission. On a Cruise Ship the thrill comes from the food, service, and entertainment. On a Rescue Ship the thrill comes from accomplishing the mission. On a Cruise Ship you hear, “I like this” or “I don’t like that.” On a Rescue Ship you hear, “How can I help?” On a Cruise Ship the energy is put into those who are “on board.” On a Rescue Ship the energy is put into those who are “out there.” On a Cruise Ship the captain responds to the people’s requests. On a Rescue Ship the people respond to the captain’s orders. On a Cruise Ship everyone rejoices when they get to sit at the captain’s table. On a Rescue Ship heaven rejoices when even one who is lost is saved.” What kind of ship are you, and what kind of ship are we as a church?
– Dr. Neil Epler, Congregational Care Pastor