Homilies
One Body, Many Parts (1 COR 12:12-31a)
Holy Spirit take my words and speak to each of us according to our needs.
Today we reflect on the passage from Paul's letter to the Corinthians that speaks directly to our life together as the Body of Christ. It is a passage that challenges us to move beyond individualism and embrace a shared identity and mission. As Paul writes, "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12).
This morning, I invite us to explore how this image of the Church as one body applies to our own Ministry Area. Though we are made up of individual churches, each with its own unique character and history, we are called to work together as one, for the glory of God and the growth of His kingdom in our community. This is not an easy task when there are so many factors at play, tradition, heritage, pride, fear – they can all stop us coming together as one.
A few years ago there was joke circulating the internet that became voted the best church joke of the year, not because it was so funny but because it highlighted the way individuals can get hung up on small differences and create them into huge barriers.
If you’ll allow me to share it, it goes like this… (and I apologise, I am not the best at telling jokes)
I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump. I ran over and said: "Stop. Don't do it."
"Why shouldn't I?" he asked.
"Well, there's so much to live for!"
"Like what?"
"Are you religious?"
He said: "Yes."
I said: "Me too. Are you Christian or Buddhist?"
"Christian."
"Me too. Are you Catholic or Protestant?"
"Protestant."
"Me too. Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?"
"Baptist."
"Wow. Me too. Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?"
"Baptist Church of God."
"Me too. Are you original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?"
"Reformed Baptist Church of God."
"Me too. Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?"
He said: "Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915."
I said: "Heretic!," and pushed him off….
You see, the point is that they actually had so much in common, yet it was the one small difference that forced them apart, beyond being able to see each other’s position.
Paul's words remind us that every member of the body is essential. "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you'" (v. 21). Yet how often do we, perhaps unconsciously, act as though one part of the body is more important than another? In our benefice, it can be tempting to think of each church as being self-sufficient or a self-contained unit and to prioritise the needs of one congregation over the shared mission.
This mindset creates division and weakens our collective witness. Like a body with disjointed parts, we become less effective, unable to move together in harmony. We may struggle with competition, mistrust, or even resentment when resources, energy, or leadership seem unevenly distributed. And if we can’t be seen to be working together from within, how can we ever hope to attract people to join us from outside?
Paul warns against such division, calling us instead to honour and value one another. "God has so composed the body, giving greater honour to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another" (vv. 24-25).
The diversity of our Ministry Area is a gift, not a problem to be solved. Just as the human body needs hands, feet, eyes, and ears to function, so the Church needs different gifts, perspectives, and contributions. Paul writes, "If all were a single member, where would the body be?" (v. 19). Each church and each individual brings something unique to the table—whether it be a heart for outreach, a talent for music, a gift for hospitality, or a passion for prayer.
Instead of viewing these differences as obstacles, let us celebrate them. When we recognise that each part of the body has a role to play, we become stronger together. Unity does not mean uniformity. It means working together toward a common purpose while allowing each part to flourish in its God-given role.
How, then, might we begin to function as one body? Here are three practical suggestions that we have already started to implement:
- Communicate Regularly and Transparently
Clear communication is the foundation of trust. Having regular opportunities for representatives from each church to come together to share ideas, concerns, and successes. We now have a whatsapp group with representatives from each church to enable easier communication across the MA and to share encouragements with each other. Whilst the newsletter is currently on hold, we do have a facebook page which advertises and informs followers about events and services going on in the MA. Soon there will be other social media accounts and a website and whilst we acknowledge the fact that not everybody has access to being online, it is primarily the way information is shared these days.
- Collaborate in Ministry
Identify areas where collaboration can enrich our mission. Could we share resources for youth ministry, pastoral care, or outreach to the community? Perhaps we could return to holding joint worship services on special occasions or unite for a MA-wide mission project, such as supporting a local charity or organising a community event. At the moment it can feel like each space wants to be seen to be doing and instead of collaborating and celebrating communal successes, each wants to keep a sense of self achievement.
- Pray Together
Prayer is the glue that binds us together as the Body of Christ. Let us commit to praying not just for our own congregations but for the entire MA and beyond.
As we pursue unity, we must however, also be mindful of potential pitfalls:
• Jealousy and Comparison: It is easy to compare the size, resources, or successes of one church with another. Instead, let us rejoice in each other’s strengths and achievements, knowing they contribute to the good of the whole.
• Overlooking Smaller Parts: Just as the body’s weaker parts are indispensable, so too must we ensure that smaller or less visible churches and ministries feel valued and supported.
• Forgetting the Mission: Unity is not an end in itself but a means to fulfil God’s mission. Let us keep our focus on sharing the gospel and serving our communities.
As an MA, we are one body and whatever individual churches do benefit the whole but also the opposite is true. If we do not work together then the MA will not function and the downfall will rest upon the whole. But when we function as one body, the benefits are profound:
• Stronger Witness: A unified MA demonstrates the love of Christ to the world. Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).
• Greater Effectiveness: Working together allows us to pool our resources and talents, enabling us to accomplish more than we could alone. It is a waste of resources to repeat the same activities and services in all eight of our active churches when we could offer a range of activities and services for people to choose which to attend, according to which suits their preferences in style or availability. We could offer traditional services, contemplative service, keep hymns, add worship songs, have a choir or a band, worship morning, afternoon or evening on week days and weekends in different places across the MA. I gave a tour of our MA for my training supervisor and to visit each church, on a loop is 31 miles but between churches I think the furthest distance anyone could possibly go is 13 miles. Blaina is fairly central to the MA and the churches spread about 7 miles in each direction from there. How nice would it be to see faces appear at services in an area they wouldn’t usually go to? I feel privileged as clergy in that I have been able to worship in each of the churches in our MA. Now I feel I have an understanding of the MA as a whole, not just one small corner.
• Deeper Relationships: Unity fosters a sense of belonging and mutual care, as Paul writes, "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together" (v. 26). Imagine what our benefice could look like if we truly embraced our calling to be one body. Imagine vibrant worship services where people from every church come together to praise God. Imagine collaborative ministries that meet the needs of our community in new and creative ways. Imagine a deep sense of unity and joy that draws others to Christ.
Later today, we have the privilege of celebrating a triple baptism in our MA. This sacred act beautifully illustrates the joining of new members to the Body of Christ. Baptism is not just a personal milestone; it is a communal moment where we, as the Church, commit to nurturing and supporting the newly baptised. By welcoming them into the faith, we are ensuring the future of the Church—both globally and in our local area. This baptism will remind us that the Body of Christ is ever-growing, and as we embrace new members, we gain fresh perspectives and gifts that will strengthen our unity and mission. Let us use this occasion as a reminder of our responsibility to create a loving, unified community where all can flourish.
As we work together, we will grow God’s kingdom in our area. Our unity will serve as a beacon of hope, showing our neighbours that the love of Christ transcends differences and unites us in a common purpose. Through our shared mission, we will be able to bring glory to God and invite others to join His family.
Finally, the call to be one body is not easy, but it is a holy calling. Let us commit ourselves to this work, trusting that God will bless our efforts. As Paul reminds us, "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it" (v. 27). May we honour this truth in all we do, for the sake of our Diocese, our MA, our communities, and above all, the glory of God. Amen.