Sunday after Theophany
There’s a huge misconception today in the Orthodox Church: the clergy are the hired professionals and the people simply come to be watch and take communion.
This misconception leads to division within the church—the clergy vs. the laity—and this creates clericalism.
It also means that we have an incorrect mindset about how the church should be run. We need paid professionals: chanters, youth workers, Sunday school teachers, and other paid positions.
The worst part of this all is that this sort of division is contrary to the Good News, the gospel message itself.
We might even call it an “anti-gospel.”
Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-13 (Click here to read)
Bottom Line: God gave diverse gifts to create unity.
Discussion Questions
- What gifts or talents has God given to you? How to you use your gifts? How do you share your gifts with others or what’s stopping you from sharing your gifts?
- Name a time when someone shared their gift with you? How did you feel? How did it create a bond between you and the person who shared their gift?
- What sorts of gifts do you think the Church needs? Which ones can you help with? How will you go about sharing your gift with your church?
Moving Forward
Paul’s argument is pretty straightforward. As a result of what Christ has accomplished on the cross and resurrection, we all, through faithfulness, are members of God’s holy household.
Together, we are a holy temple to God, the Holy Spirit operating within us.
As a result, Paul implores us to, “Walk in a way worthy of the call by which you were called … bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
This is precisely why each of us—every Christian, not just clergy—have been given a special gift.
We are to use our gifts to build up the Body of Christ.
Put another way, we are to use our gift to serve one another. And, by serving, we create unity within the church.
We work in concert, helping one another, encouraging one another, and supporting one another.
If we are only passive members of our local community, then we are depriving the Body of the Christ with the gift that God has given us.
And, we may be missing gifts God intended our brothers and sisters to share with us.
After all, we are to struggle for our salvation together, not alone.
Changing Your Mind
“From [Christ], all of the body—fitted together and knitted together by every joint provided, according to its operation, in the measure proper to every single part—effects the body’s growth [the Church], for the sake of building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)