The Church is More Than Its Pastor

“For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say,
‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a
part of the body."
-1 Corinthians 12:14-15

Beloved Kinney,

Our family is anticipating a much-needed three-month Sabbatical. We are so thankful
for not only your willingness to give us this opportunity, but your eagerness!

While we are gone, I want to remind you of a very important but simple truth: the church
is more than its pastor. You know this, but you may need to be reminded of it. At the end
of the day, I’m just one member among many.

First Corinthians 12 reminds us of this truth: “But as it is, God arranged the members in
the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the
body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” (vv18-20) Don’t forget: the
church members ARE the church! One member is not the church. All the members
collectively is.

So let me offer a few encouragements while I’m out…
1) Support the other pastors. Pray for them. Speak encouragement to them. Do
what Hebrews 13:17 says to do, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they
are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.
Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage
to you.”

2) Love each other. Give yourself to the people of the church. Pursue love and
unity. Find joy in one another. Don’t gossip. Don’t complain. Love.

3) Pursue holiness. There’s a reason John says in his letter, “I have no greater joy
than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4) Give the pastors
joy by killing your sin and pursuing holiness. Let them help you with this.

4) Be more involved than you are right now. If you are inconsistent in church
attendance, plan to attend every Sunday this summer. If you are slacking in small
group, prioritize it. If you’re not part of a D-Group, consider joining one. If you’re
not volunteering on Sundays, start.

5) Invite people to church. Remember, you’re inviting people to a people, not to a
pastor. Be bold. Stick your neck out. Invite someone to church at least one time
this summer.

6) Pray. Pray for our family while we’re away. Pray for rest. Pray memories are
made. Pray we have good discipling conversations as we visit other churches.
Pray also for our church. Pray for protection. Pray for unity. Pray away the enemy
who would love to divide and draw people away from Christ and each other. Pray
for the elders. Pray for wisdom. Pray for endurance. Pray for clarity. Pray for growth
for our church. Pray many people are drawn to Christ because of Kinney. Pray
weak believers are strengthened, flakey believers become faithful, discouraged
believers are encouraged, joyless believers are filled with joy. Pray for numerical
and spiritual growth for our church.

We will miss you dearly and we are already looking forward to being with you again
soon, if the Lord wills!

Love,
Pastor Josh