The pastor-congregation form of organization tends to work against the widespread operation of ministries and gifts on the part of the believers. In America, it seems we have to have pastors who rule over the local churches. In a sophisticated culture the pastors serve as chief executive officers of the legally established organizations, which the churches are. But far too often the pastors take on also the role of priest. They receive the spiritual proxy of the members and stand between them and God. In such a system of role expectations the believers can hardly be expected to pursue their own gifts and ministries with the required fervency.

The pastor is viewed as holier than the people. How can this be, seeing he and the members of the congregation are integral parts of one body?

Another factor that militates against the widespread use of gifts and ministries is the unscriptural emphasis placed on evangelism. It is as though evangelism is the only gift and ministry given to the members of the Body of Christ. The Scripture does not support this extreme emphasis. The result is the great majority of Christians, whose gifts and ministries are other than evangelism, have no idea of the unique calling the Holy Spirit has placed on them. Since they do not have the grace to evangelize, they give up the idea of having a significant ministry.

The above may be a few of the current reasons for the lack of the widespread functioning of the gifts and ministries of the Body of Christ. They may be explanations, but they are not excuses. If each saint is to grow to maturity as measured by the stature of the fullness of Christ, then every believer must recognize his or her calling as a saint; find out what God expects of him or her; and make the Lord's calling on him or her the number one priority of his or her life. This is an absolute imperative today, as America is being submerged in a cesspool of moral horrors.

Let's go back to the first reason for the lack of the operation of gifts and ministries in the churches: many believers do not present their body a living sacrifice, as we all have been commanded to do.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1,2)

Now, I do not know how many Christians take the above passage seriously. One thing is certain, however. The only way we ever are going to find out God's will for ourselves is by presenting our body a living sacrifice.

What does it mean to present our body a living sacrifice? It means to obey the Lord strictly, even though the body usually rebels against God's standards.

To be continued.