Train

In every area of sports, each team or athlete has trainers. For some, it may be just general conditioning, while others for an area of competition. I have the joy of working out at the Aerobics Center. Around twenty percent of those present are utilizing a trainer. Some need them a way a lot more than others. Trainers are equipped to build up your body physically, and many times mentally, for the desired result.

So it is with the body of Christ. In addition to sacrificing his life, Jesus came to earth to train and equip disciples and after his departure, he sent his Spirit to finish the work. Verse 11 describes his method and plan. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers…to equip the saints…” To do what? To do the work of the ministry, building up the body of Christ. It has long been an unfortunate opinion by many within the Church that they should leave all the work to ‘Clerical George’, the pastor.

Equip

These scriptures are clear. Those who are trained are to be about equipping their congregation to do the heavy lifting. They are our guides, teachers, shepherds. Sure, they may do similar work, but their main purpose is to equip us! The desired result is this. “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (vss. 15,16). Grab a good trainer, and get equipped!!