The local church is one of the most dynamic organizations on Earth. It is both a place and a people who represent God to the world. Throughout history, God has worked through His church to bring the promise of forgiveness and new life, and He still does today.

Because the church belongs to Jesus, He determines how His church is built. We do not redesign it around our preferences, personalities, comfort, or convenience. God has given us a blueprint, and Ephesians 4:11-16 shows how the pieces fit together. The mission of the church is too important for us to build any other way than the way God designed it.

God gives leaders to equip His church. Evangelists, shepherds, and teachers are not called to do all the ministry themselves. They are given “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, ESV). Leaders equip. God’s people minister. The body is built up.

Think about a baseball team. The team does not need nine first basemen. It needs each player faithfully handling the position he has been given. The same is true in the church. God has given every believer gifts, time, talents, and resources.

Some roles are more visible, but visible does not mean more important. Someone welcomes a guest. Someone teaches a child. Someone leads a Life Group, serves behind the scenes, prays, or shares Jesus. Every part matters.

When every part works according to God’s design, the whole church receives five specific blessings.

• We grow in unity as we pursue one mission instead of our own agendas.
• We grow in maturity by putting God’s Word into practice.
• We gain spiritual stability as truth grounds us.
• We become more like Christ, which is the ultimate goal.
• And the church grows, spiritually and numerically, as disciples make disciples.

God’s plan is bigger than getting people through the doors. He wants people to come to Jesus, grow in Jesus, become like Jesus, serve Jesus, and faithfully cross the finish line together.

So ask yourself: What has God given me? Where is there a need I can meet? You cannot do everything, but God has called you to do something.

We do not serve to belong to the body of Christ. Because we belong, we serve. Find your place. Use what God has given you. Do your part. Together, let’s build His church according to His blueprint.