Why the church isn’t meant to be a spectator sport (based on a sermon by Lucas Johnson)

Every Team Needs Every Player

Think about the movie Ocean’s Eleven for a moment. Each member of Danny Ocean’s crew had a specific skill essential to pulling off their elaborate heist—the explosives expert, the tech guy, the con artist. Not everyone could be the explosives expert, and they wouldn’t succeed if they tried.

Or consider the ’90s Chicago Bulls, arguably the greatest basketball team of all time. Michael Jordan was there to win games, Scottie Pippen backed him up, Steve Kerr hit the crucial three-pointers, and Dennis Rodman dominated the rebounds while intimidating opponents. Each player had their unique role.

The same principle applies to your own life—you have specific roles in your family, at work, in your hobbies and organizations. Unfortunately, this understanding of roles and responsibilities doesn’t always carry over to the church.

Continue reading → For the Common Good: Using Your Spiritual Gifts