The Body of Christ

Written by Dan Ryan

Does Anyone Need a Hand?

As believers, we are called to live in community, be connected to one another through our shared faith in Jesus, and use our specific gifts and callings to glorify God and uplift the body. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 12:12-27, he reminds us that we are not alone, and that our purpose is tied to something bigger than ourselves, something eternal. I have recently realized my need to step up and use my “hands” to connect and serve the body, and call others to share the unique qualities the Lord has given them to better the body. I hope this post will encourage you to see yourself as an invaluable part of a body of believers.

Connecting to the Body

Whether you are new at Waypoint, or if you've been attending for a while but don’t feel connected, it can be easy to stay on the sidelines. You might be waiting for someone else to initiate a conversation, invite you to an event, or make you feel at home. However, I have found if I really want to feel connected, it is on me to take the initiative. Church is not just a place we attend; it’s a community we engage in. If you feel disconnected, consider stepping out of your comfort zone and getting involved. It may seem intimidating at first, but by taking the first step, you open the door to deeper relationships and a sense of belonging.

At times, it can feel like it’s someone else’s responsibility to welcome you, make you feel part of the group, or ensure that you have a place at the table. While hospitality is certainly a biblical value that needs to be practiced, if we approach the church with the mindset that it’s up to others to make the first move, we may miss out on meaningful relationships. It’s easy to feel like an outsider when we passively wait for others to come to us, but Christ calls us to be part of His body—a body that requires active participation. You are not just a passive attendee at Waypoint; you are an important part of the body’s living, breathing organism.

If you’ve been attending Waypoint for a while, perhaps you’ve already established connections and feel comfortable in the community. In that case, consider it your turn to step up and extend the same hospitality and connection that you were once given. Find someone new, introduce yourself, and invite them into something more—a small group, a church event, or even just a meetup for coffee. It’s through these simple acts of inclusion that we embody Christ’s love and grow together as a body of believers

Please note if you are seeking spiritually and do not yet consider yourself a part of the “body,” I would still strongly encourage you to read on to see what it does look like to be a part of the body of Christ, but please know your standing with God is through His free gift of salvation, not acts of service. I would also encourage you to seek God through prayer and have a conversation with any member or leader at Waypoint of what it would look like for you to be a part of the body.

Serving the Body

I have found that the two most effective ways to feel connected to the body of Christ is through serving and participating in community groups. Serving allows you to take ownership of the church’s mission and use your gifts. A note on gifts: they don’t have to be supernatural gifts, God created you with a unique voice/perspective and that might be just what someone else needs to feel loved or connected. I joked for years that my spiritual gift was picking things up and putting them down, but I have used that “gift” to help setup apartments for refugees, help countless members of the body move homes, and set up tables and chairs for events. 

Whether you’re welcoming people at the door, teaching in the children’s ministry, or helping out behind the scenes, every act of service builds the body of believers and helps create a stronger, more unified church. In the same way, community groups provide a space for deeper connections, personal growth, and shared experiences that help you feel rooted in the community. 

Again 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 provides a powerful image of the church as a body made up of many parts. Just as each part of the human body has a unique role, every believer at Waypoint has a role to play in the church’s ministry. You may think that your contribution is small or insignificant, but Paul reminds us that no part of the body can say to another, “I don’t need you.” Each person’s gifts, talents, and presence matter deeply to the health and vitality of the church. 

On the flip side, when we withhold our talents and gifts from the body, everyone suffers. If one part of the body is not functioning as it should, the whole body feels the effects. You may think that your absence or lack of participation doesn’t matter, but Scripture teaches the opposite. We are designed to work together, and when even one person is not contributing their unique gifts, the body of Christ literally can’t be at its best if you aren’t willing to share your part. By offering your talents, you allow the church to flourish, and you honor the God who gave you those gifts in the first place.

Being part of Waypoint means more than attending services on Sunday; it means actively engaging in the life of the church. Whether through connecting with others, serving in a ministry, or inviting someone into a deeper community, you are helping to build up the body of Christ. We are not meant to walk this journey of faith alone. By being part of a body of believers that is bigger than yourself, you grow in your faith, find deeper relationships, and become a vital part of what God is doing in and through Waypoint.