For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another (Rom. 12:4-5).

Backpack Ministry

I once had a discussion with a friend who works for a parachurch ministry. My friend loves Christ and the church, and was struggling with the relationship of his ministry to the larger church body. He stated, "It functions less like an arm and more like a backpack. It may be on the body, but doesn't always work well with the body." We went on to discuss the benefits of this utility, how it can serve the body, as well as the potential injury it may cause to the body.

Body Language

If all were a single member, where would the body be?…But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor 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. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together (1 Cor. 12:19, 24-26). The word "corporate" comes from the Latin corporare, meaning "a united body." Understanding the corporate nature of God's people has strong implications for the church. Paul, affirming the Old Testament understanding of corporate identity, uses his "body language" in reference to both various members of one congregation (1 Cor. 12:27) as well as believers of other local congregations (Rom. 12:4-5, 16:3-15). (Dictionary of Paul and His Letters

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Relational Significance

First, we understand Christ to be the head (Eph. 1:22-23). He is the source of life for the body and the authority over the body. Second, we see our relationship with other members of the body. There is both unity and diversity (Eph. 2:16-18). Yet there is an interdependence of each part to the others—there are no "rogue members," and they are "joined and knit together" (Eph. 4:16, Rom. 12:5). This applies to both various members of one local church as well as various local churches to each other.

Functional significance

Functionally, there is a Christward orientation with all activities of the members of the body. There are no competing agendas amongst the various parts and certainly no self-inflicted injury. There is an "other-member" focus between the various members. They are to build up each other in service, love, and growth (Eph. 4:16). Imagine the affect the unified body can have as each member functions as a part of the body, rather than as a backpack. To be continued.