Dear Church Family,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we gather in fellowship, let us turn our hearts to the timeless wisdom found in Ephesians 4:11-16, where the Apostle Paul imparts crucial insights for our journey of faith.

Ephesians 4:11-16 (NKJV):

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [a]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love

In this passage, Paul outlines the divine order within the body of Christ and emphasizes the importance of unity and maturity. Let us reflect on key points that can guide our journey as a church community:

Diverse Roles for a Common Purpose: Recognize the various roles within the body — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers — each uniquely equipped for the common purpose of building up the body of Christ.

Equipping for Service: Understand that these roles are to serve to equip all believers for acts of service. Each one of us has different gifts and talents that are meant to be used collectively to advance the kingdom of God.

Unity in Faith and Knowledge: Strive for unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. This requires a commitment to sound doctrine and a shared understanding of our Lord and Savior.

Maturing in Christ: Aim for spiritual maturity, resembling the fullness of Christ. This maturity safeguards us from being swayed by false teachings and worldly deceptions, ensuring a steadfast foundation in our faith.

As we reflect on these verses, may we be inspired to live out our faith in unity, maturity, and love. Let us encourage one another, appreciating the diversity of our gifts, and collectively grow into the fullness of Christ.

In Christ's love,

Bill Doane