Consider God’s design for the Body of Christ to function interdependently. We need each other. If we don’t purposefully work to coordinate ministries and programs in the church with one another, we can find ourselves rather splintered, isolated, one part doing their thing and the other doing their thing. When that happens, the Body as a whole doesn’t tend to see as much organic growth.
A Look at God’s Design for the Church Shows Coordination Integral to Growth of the Body
God designed the Body for each part to work in a coordinated fashion that leads to the growth and health of the whole.
1) We are spiritually gifted for the common good.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. . . . The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” . . . so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (1 Cor. 12:7, 21, 25)
2) We are to equip people for ministry that grows the Body.
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-13)
3) There is only one Head of the Body.
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Eph. 1:22-23)
… we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament … (Eph. 4:15-16)
Jesus, as the Head of the Body, gels us together. The Spirit gifts people within the Body so when all working together, we can accomplish His purposes for the Church. With people equipped and doing their parts, God brings growth. The Church isn’t designed to be about individuals but rather the whole group. Even the terminology used for the Church suggests the need for coordination to function that way — Body (1 Cor. 12:12), family (Eph. 3:15), household (Eph. 2:19).
The coordination lesson for leaders:
Group to meet needs and fellowship around shared interests but guard against becoming so isolated in these groupings that they become cliquish and/or independent from the others. You can help prevent island mentalities, promoting interdependence instead, through the development of platforms for sharing of information, resources, praises, and prayer requests with each other.
In addition to what you find on this page, the Steering the Church Toward Body Life Leadership Guide also asks a few questions to help you think through how your coordination practices align with each of these points related to God’s design.
All Posts about Coordination:
- Motivation for Coordination
- Means of Coordination
- Coordination Integral to God’s Design
- Coordination Governed by the Great Commission
- Coordination Showcases Christ
- Coordination in Submission to Christ
- Coordination in the Church is Possible
- Coordination Founded Upon the Gospel
- Grace to Hurdle Obstacles to Coordination
- Holy Spirit Essential to Coordination
- Spiritual Gifts Useful to Coordination
- Motivational Effect of His Name to Coordination
- Does Your Church Function as a Coordinated Whole?
- Jesus’ Resurrection Takes Coordination to New Heights
- Jesus’ Resurrection Provides the Keys to Coordination