“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16

The Body of Christ is an amazing and mysterious creation of God as the Holy Spirit joins diverse people with varied gifts and experiences together and enables them to grow in faith and love. We see the Body of Christ on display within our individual congregations as young and old, rich and poor, construction workers and bankers, teachers and I/T specialists are united as a body of believers. The members of congregations may come from different backgrounds and even speak different languages. What holds them together is Christ. He is the center and source of community, our common life together.

Christ does not just hold together your congregation, but He is the One who holds together three congregations that make up a school association. He is the One who holds together congregations that support a campus ministry or that are part of a shared ministry. In fact, as we walk together as a district, part of a larger Synod, we are held together not by bylaws or benefit plans, but by Jesus Christ. He is the One in whom we grow as we are built up in love.

While we see much division in our nation, our prayer is that these words from Ephesians would describe how we function as part of the Body of Christ! Our prayer is that we are joined and held together by Christ Jesus, that we grow up into Him who is the head, and that we are built up in love and faithfully speak the truth in love. The only hope and the only future for our congregations is that we are held together by and in Christ. May God grant us such life together in Christ!

Prayer - Almighty God, In Christ, all things are held together, including Your Church. May the members of our congregations grow up in every way into Him, who is the head, even Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan