Monday, October 6, 2014

We are North Side!

…from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16

We are North Side!
Being a part of a special group is a wonderful experience.  No man is an island and the groups and organizations that we attach ourselves to or connect with often make our lives more meaningful.   But being a part of an organization is most beneficial to our lives when it is a give and take situation.  There is much to be gained from being a part of a group but there is more to gain from putting some of ourselves back into that group, especially with a church.  Giving of ourselves to the ministry of others is not only rewarding but helps us grow spiritually and, contributes to the mission of the church. 

North Side Baptist Church Mission Statement
Through Worship, we will praise God's greatness!
Through Education, we will prepare God's people!
Through Evangelism and Missions, we will proclaim God's message!
Through Ministry and Fellowship, we will prove God's love!

The question is, "How do we best accomplish our mission?  Every living organism exists by the proper functioning of a system. When that system is disrupted or impaired, the entire organism is affected.

A physician, a veterinarian, a botanist or any other individual concerned with the health of living things will seek to restore the God-created system in order to restore health. This principle holds true in regard to organizations.  The purpose and success of any organization will be directly related to the system by which it operates. 

This does not mean that any system can be successful in the operation of an organization.  The proper system must be implemented based on the purpose, values, size, experience and resource of the organization.  Yet, the base principle holds true; no organization can succeed if the system if disrupted or impaired.

God has given us our system - The Church System
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

In regard to the function of living things, it is not necessary for any organ or cell to necessarily know exactly how it fits in the system so long as it performs its allotted role.  Such is not so, in an organization.  While not everyone in the organization may understand how it all works together, there is a need for each one to realize their significant impact on the whole of the organization.  What is it that enables a system to work when each one is merely doing their part and not directly connected to all of the other parts?  It is COMMUNICATION. The cell must communicate.  The organ must communicate.  The person must communicate. 

Being a part of any group requires communication and participation for the members to get the most from it.  This week we will be exploring the roles we can play to be an effective member of our most important group of all – our Christian brotherhood and our church.

Scripture to Claim:
so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;  Colossians 1:10

Devotional Archive