Finding Your Place in the Church, Part 1

Getting settled into a new church can be a challenge. In addition to learning different faces and names, we have to learn the ins and outs of congregational life. We might wonder where we fit in and feel that it’s hard to find our place.

We all need reminders, whether we’re in a new church or have been long-time members of a church, that we have a place in the church. It has been guaranteed by Jesus Christ. Further-more, everybody has something to contribute. The same Holy Spirit who has joined us to Christ and to one another has also gifted us for service. In 1 Corinthians 12:1–11 the apostle Paul lists some of those gifts, one of several gift lists found in the New Testament (see Rom. 12:6–8, Eph. 4:11; 1 Peter 4:11).

Some gifts such as apostle and prophet were associated primarily with the establishment of the church. For instance, Paul says that the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20). A foundation is usually laid only once, and many New Testament interpreters think that these gifts applied to the needs at the founding of the early church.

Many of the gifts are connected with the Word of God, such as teaching. Some are used for guiding the church, such as administration or encouragement. Other gifts are required for the ministries of serving in the church, such as mercy or giving.

All believers in the church have gifts from the Holy Spirit, and they are important for the health of the church. No gift is greater than another, for they all come from the Lord. And this means that everyone has a place to serve God in the church.

Pray with Us

We continue to pray for Moody Publishers’ Creative and Production staff, thanking God for the great job they do in bringing solid biblical teaching to thousands of homes. Would you pray for Andrew Flores, Ann Hackler, Josh Reigel, and Judy Tollberg?

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.