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For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us (Romans 12:4-6a).

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What does it mean to be part of a church? Many of us are currently watching worship services online or on TV. Let\u2019s be clear, that does not make us part of a church. Even before COVID, some people\u2019s only contact with the church was regular worship attendance. Did that make them part of a church? Not necessarily. What does it mean to be part of the church? There are many ways to answer that question. Our text offers two.

Before we discuss those, let\u2019s remember that when the New Testament uses the word church it did not have in mind the formal structures we know today. Church referred to the people who followed Jesus Christ. They had no structure or history; they were simply the people in the Roman Empire who believed that this Jesus was Lord and God. In a place like Romans 12, the apostle Paul begins to lay out what belonging to this group means. So, what did or does it mean to be part of the church?

First, as we have seen, the flow of Romans 12 implies that I cannot fully \u201crenew my mind\u201d without the active help of other believers. I cannot understand what the Bible teaches apart from dialog with others who are reading that same Bible. I cannot live the life of a disciple of Christ apart from the nurturing context of a community of believers who encourage me, pray for me, and set an example for me. I cannot discern the blind spots in my obedience to Christ without other believers to point them out to me.

Here is where the attitude of arrogance that Paul rebukes in verse 3 can get in the way. We think of ourselves \u201cmore highly than we ought\u201d and so conclude that we do not need the help of others. To go back to our question, \u201cWhat does it mean to be part of a church?\u201d Our passage tells us that we need the input of other Christians. To be part of a church means to receive help in Christian thinking and living from others. I need the church, the body of Christ.

Second, we must participate in the church to help others grow. Whatever gift we have been given, we are under obligation to our Lord to use it to serve his people. Other Christians need what each of us has to offer. As the human body is at a disadvantage without a foot, or an eye, or a kidney, so the church is harmed when the full array of gifts is not being exercised within it. Notice how strongly Paul puts this, \u201caccording to the grace given to each of us.\u201d If we disassociate from the church, we are hindering the flow of God\u2019s grace. Remember, we are God\u2019s sponges of mercy, first to the church and then beyond.

This is also why we need to think of ourselves with sober judgement. We should not consider our personal resources as personal possessions. They are gifts of God to be used for his glory. All of us who follow Jesus receive gifts to be used for the upbuilding of Christ\u2019s church. We each have gifts of grace to offer each other.

So, putting these two together: I need the church and the church needs me!

How do we do this when there are restrictions to us meeting together? For starters, we can check up on church members who live close by or those who we usually sit next too in the sanctuary. We can pray and give financially. We can assist an agency that helps the disenfranchised. Take some time to discuss this with other Christians.

Finally, as permission is given to open up church buildings, we need to consider the wellbeing of fellow worshippers. How do we balance the need to meet together with the health risks of such meetings? So, pray for church leaders as they must make these decisions and be willing to follow their directives.

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