by Pastor Patrick Cho

Dear friends and family of LBC,

I hope you are doing well and walking in the Lord! Fall is a wonderful season for the church because ministry is in full swing and there are ample opportunities for you to fellowship with and encourage one another. As we have been learning and will continue to learn through our study in 1 Corinthians, God has called us to be a unified body made up of various members. As the members all function together exercising their spiritual gifts, the whole body is built up and works towards maturity. If the members are unwilling to participate in their ministry to one another, the body as a whole will suffer.

But Paul also reminds us that Christ is the head of the body. He is our Lord who gives us our direction, purpose, and instruction. The body should operate according to the direction of its head. In other words, failing to function together as the body of Christ has more than horizontal implications – there are also vertical implications because of the dishonor it brings to the head who is Christ. God has not left ministry to us to be performed however we like. We are the members. He is the head. This is a lesson Paul will continue to teach us as we walk through 1 Corinthians 12.

Each individual ought to consider how he/she is working towards serving the rest of the body through the exercise of his/her gifts. Are you helping the body work towards maturity in Christ? There is no place for a spectator Christian in the church. Every member is to do his/her part. I’m sure we’ll address this more in the coming weeks, but it would be good for these thoughts to be on your mind until we get there.

In His grace,
Pastor Patrick

P.S. Please continue to pray for our Pastor John as he recuperates and tends to his various health issues. Please also be in prayer for the leadership during this time.