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body of Christ

We all benefit, we all contribute

November 8, 2022November 3, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

In 2021 Megan Hill gave a talk titled, “Teach your kids to love the local church.” [You can link to it below.] At her church, volunteers sign up to take turns cleaning the church every Saturday. Each family signs up for two slots each year. When they showed up for their first turn, they brought … Continue reading We all benefit, we all contribute

Church consumer or member?

October 19, 2022October 18, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past three years, you know about how hard things have been. It has been—and will continue to be—a time of great change. As I’ve highlighted elsewhere, we are entering a period which will probably be marked by increased uncertainty, anxiety and complexity. In the midst of … Continue reading Church consumer or member?

2 minutes every day

September 13, 2022September 12, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Thom Rainer is the CEO of Church Answers. He was also the president of LifeWay Christian Resources and has authored over 30 books.  In a recent article he highlighted eleven signs you might be becoming a church consumer instead of a committed church member. Here is number ten: “You don’t pray for your church regularly.” … Continue reading 2 minutes every day

People… people who need people.

November 10, 2021November 9, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

I never thought I’d start a devotional by quoting a Barbara Streisand song, but here goes: “People… people who need people.”  Yup, it’s true. Or, in the words of poet John Donne: “No man [or woman] is and island.”  Hebrews 10:24-25 says: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and … Continue reading People… people who need people.

You complete the broken statue

December 20, 2019December 19, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

In 2007 The Denver Post reported a story about a 22-foot statue of Jesus. During a storm, lighting struck and cut off Jesus’ hands and feet! The nuns who took care of it were asked if or when they could replace the hands and feet. They weren’t really sure since they relied on donations. Fair … Continue reading You complete the broken statue

Being useful makes you more content

September 26, 2019September 25, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

I think we’re spiritually constructed to want to be useful. When someone we know is going through something difficult, how many of us have thought or said something like, “If only there was something I could do to help” or “I just want to be useful”? In a broader sense, you probably feel a strong … Continue reading Being useful makes you more content

The situation you’re already in

September 25, 2019September 24, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

In 1 Corinthians 12:27 Paul says, “you are the body of Christ...” In light of that, we’ve been reflecting on this important question: How can we be useful to Jesus as his hands and feet in a hurting world by being proactive about the well-being of others? Sometimes we respond by getting involved in programs … Continue reading The situation you’re already in

Mitten mindset

May 17, 2019May 16, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

What I’m about to say is a very simple concept. It’s an illustration I’ve heard from various sources. I think it’s very profound. And biblical. When it’s cold outside and you put on a pair of gloves, it helps your hands stay warm. But sometimes you fingers get cold because they are separated from each … Continue reading Mitten mindset

Each of you is a part of it

July 26, 2018July 25, 2018 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

This week I’ve been driving home the point that followers of Jesus don’t “have it all together.” Instead, they have it all, together. The placement of that comma makes all the difference in the world. Today l want to focus on that word “together.” The Bible calls the church the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians … Continue reading Each of you is a part of it

You are someone’s missing piece

May 9, 2017May 8, 2017 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

In 1 Corinthians 12:27 the apostle Paul says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” This idea that the church is the “body of Christ” is pretty well-known. In fact, when people say that Jesus is the “head” (boss and brains) of the church, and … Continue reading You are someone’s missing piece

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