I know I am aging myself when I reminisce about buying my nephews toys before Christmas, noting with dismay the side of the box that had the dreaded warning, "some assembly required". I often wondered what "some" constituted as it could run the gamete from several pieces easily snapped together to what seemed to be hundreds of parts requiring the use of a master mechanic’s chest of tools to complete the assembly. I remember those hours of futile frustration that happily turned into a blessing when my nephews looked wide-eyed at their new glorious toys. It always seemed like the best, most exciting toys required assembly.

A few weeks ago as we drove into Wilmington, we noticed a church with an illuminated sign, which read, "A church is a gift of God - assembly required". I thought that was a cute play on words, and yet, there’s a lot of truth to that statement. If you consider a church to be a structure (as compared to "the church"), it is a lifeless building of brick and mortar, which, to the passerby, lends itself to a specific use. Without the assembly, the children of God, it has no real function or purpose. There is a definite difference between "a church’ and "the church", which is a basis of our faith.

 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, (the church), and everyone members of one another", (Rom.12: 5).

 "For we are members of His body, of His flesh, of His bone". (Eph. 5: 30).

This was Paul referring to the church.

I guess I’m getting a little deep here. The point is, churches should have live, vibrant assemblies. The church body should reflect the joy and assurance we have in eternal life through Jesus Christ. We don’t have to give "credit" to anyone for a job well done. Someone is doing a great job putting that church together - and I don’t mean the pastor. I don’t mean the deacons. I don’t even mean the Sunday school teachers or organist, (though they all contribute). It is the Holy Spirit at work in the people who meet the challenge, "assembly required".

We have quite a church at Blake’s Chapel Advent Christian Church. It is very well assembled. It is a living testament and witness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Come visit us - we can always use another piece to help the church grow larger, another piece to use to glorify God.

Dan Ligotti