Many Members, Many Functions

Romans 12:4 KJV

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

I am interested in the word, "office."

We generally think of that as a position of recognition or authority:

• The office of the President
• Officers of the court
• Etc.

The definition of this word, in the Greek, is "act" or "function."

In a New Testament Baptist Church there are only two offices: pastor and deacon. In that same New Testament Baptist Church there are many functions. There are, in fact, as many functions as there are members. Each member has:

• A role
• A function
• An activity

within the church that is theirs alone to perform.

Sometimes those functions will be similar[1] as in:

• Sunday school teachers
• Nursery workers
• Bus workers
• Cleaners

but every function is essential to the church.

Sometimes that function will be a developing one.

When  a person unites with the church their function will be limited. Over the course of time it may expand and change many times.

Sometimes that function is quite silent.

Most may never witness it being performed. It is nonetheless essential to the body.

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[1] Many people performing the same function.