Years ago this expression indicated the vehicle people used to get around; kind of a cool way to refer to your ride. Cars and trucks can be such status symbols even now. Manufacturers of anything—and especially vehicles—appeal to potential buyers by indicating how they’ll be viewed when they’re seen using their product. Status, prestige and “sex’ appeal, are incentives used for enticing a purchase. Getting around in our mobile environment is so important for Americans. Just about everyone has a vehicle of some sort. Even people in big cities with extensive public transportation often own a vehicle, even if they don’t need it. And the question I’m asking is: how do you roll? Or, perhaps more to the point: how do you role, which is a whole different thing? That is to say: what is your role in your walk with God? Have you thought about that? In the discussions on this blog, I’ve been suggesting that the Christian life is a journey; we’re on our way to know the Lord, and to serve His purposes. He’s got an agenda for us. We’ve been “called out of darkness” and brought into His “marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) The Apostle Paul indicated that he was pressing on “to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) We’re on the move—or we should be—seeking to know God and to serve His purposes. But how does that happen?

In answering this question, I’ve been emphasizing the basics of prayer, study of the scriptures, and participation in, and engagement with, the Church. And it’s this last element that I want to focus on now: How do you do church? The first and obvious answer is you show up. You’ve got to go. That seems obvious but not everyone agrees with that. Some think they can get along on their own. They neglect going to church for various reasons. Maybe it conflicts with their other activities. Or maybe they’ve had a bad experience with church: they’ve been offended, misunderstood or challenged in ways that made them uncomfortable. They still believe the “good news” but they’re content to read the Bible, and even pray, on their own. The problem with that is God has called us to assemble together, and He’s done it for a reason. (Hebrews 10:23-25) For one thing we need the perspective of others to help us find our way. People who’ve been in the faith for a while learn things of which a newer Christian might not be aware. Others, such as pastors or elders, have been equipped, through formal training and/or experience, to interpret and apply what the Bible says. And others have been given specific gifts by the Lord that enables them to serve the interests of the Church in important ways.

This needs to be understood by everyone, those who regularly attend Church, and those who don’t. The Lord works through others to establish His purposes in our lives. And it isn’t always pleasant…but it’s necessary. We’re all different; we bring different experiences into the mix; we’re at different places in our walk with God. And those differences can cause friction because they challenge our assumptions. Ideas that we’ve come to rely upon in our progress of the faith are tested by and compared with alternative ways of understanding the Lord and His agenda. In order for this testing to be effective we need to be pliable without being wishy-washy, willing to listen and consider other viewpoints in an effort to progress in the faith. And we need to guard against giving up on the Church because of its imperfections. The Church has always been an imperfect institution—that’s why most of the New Testament was written in the first place. And it’s made up of imperfect people. However, that doesn’t mean that we can do without it, or that we shouldn’t listen to what others have to say just because they aren’t perfect in their behavior. Certainly in some more extreme circumstances a member of a Church may need to be admonished or even expelled from the assembly. But what I’m referring to here are the variations of personality and background that render us different, but not exceedingly so. And those differences shouldn’t inhibit us from working together and learning from each other as we progress in the faith.

It should also be pointed out that the Lord has called us to be a part of His assembly, and that some of the things that distinguish us from one another are God-given. The term, motivational gifts, has been used to describe what I’m talking about. In this regard the Apostle Paul stated that:

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy according to the proportion of his faith; if service in his serving; or he who teaches in his teaching; or he who exhorts in his exhortation; he who gives with liberality, he who leads with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8)

What this points to is an appreciation of these differences; recognizing that we’re different by design. Some people are organizers, while some are sensitive to others in distress. Some are bold in exhorting people in their walk with God. Some are sensitive to the Lord’s immediate presence and agenda. Some thrive on intensive study of the Bible, while others are inspired by the poetic features of scripture. The church needs to recognize these distinctions and accommodate the differences, allowing people of all stripes to thrive according to what the Lord has invested in them! People have a “role” to play in the church that has been appointed by the Lord. He has invested in each functioning member of the assembly; and together this is how we “roll.”

It’s also to be said that everyone who participates in the assembly needs to be informed by the head of the church, and I don’t mean the pastor. Church leadership is God given, providing oversight and encouragement to all who comprise the ecclesia—the church. And recognition of those who’ve been so appointed is essential. However everyone who comprises the body of the local church needs to be fully informed by the head: our Lord God. That’s how the church functions: the members working in concert with one another by being thoroughly informed by the head “from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments grows with a growth which is from God.” (Colossians 2:19) We’re all in this together; and we’re all called to participate in the church, not just show up. What our role is in this regard is something that each one of us needs to determine. The Lord has called us all to “participate” rather than to simply observe church. We all should share in the common goal of building up the body in some form or fashion.

What’s your role? Whatever it is it’s important. Whether we help keep the church building clean, visit and support the infirmed, teach in Sunday school, or simply engage in regular, focused intercessory prayer; every action is significant! And in the process of participation we should interact with one another; respecting and acknowledging the contribution that is being provided, and appreciating the differences in personality and sensibilities that each of us brings to the assembly. The Apostle Paul challenges us in this regard stating:

For the body is not one member but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not and eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:18-26)

In our present culture individualism has played a significant role. Prestige is sought even in the context of a team effort. And celebrity continues to be associated with success. How different that is from the Bible’s presentation of church. Are we willing to let the Lord have His way? Are we willing to allow His Word to arbitrate as we consider how to do life in this world? It is difficult to go against the grain, accepting and applying principles that are out of step with the current flow of thought. But isn’t that to be expected? God’s ways are not our ways unless we’re willing to submit to Him. Fortunately He’s given us significant help in embracing His ways: the indwelling Holy Spirit. And in collaboration with our Lord we can fulfill His agenda, learning to function within the context of His body of believers. Truly, this is how we roll!