The Church's Immune System

I learned a fascinating tidbit the other day about our body's immune system. As you know, the immune system keeps us healthy. But did you know that the lymphatic system in our immune system which cleanses our cells and carries viruses away doesn't have a pump to circulate it through our body. The lymphatic system circulates through movement, our movement. We need to move to transport these problematic cells out of our body. If the lymphatic system doesn't move, if we don't provide movement for it, then the nasty cells build up and we get sick.

As I thought about that I wondered if the Body of Christ operated the same way. If the church isn't moving, then do problematic cells build up eventually making the Body sick? Or to put it another way are the healthiest churches the ones that are moving, circulating good fresh fluid through the system, eliminating the stuff that make a church sick?

So many churches these days, especially the mainline ones, seem to be sedentary. Just sitting on their corners, opening their doors from time to time during the week to allow in a nursery school or the local AA group but not really moving as a Body. What would it take to get your church moving? And what would movement look like? Have you ever asked your church to brainstorm or dream about this question?

And as the pastor what is your movement level? I don't mean how many meetings you attend, or how many visits you make or how many hours you work. Sorry, that's not the kind of movement necessary to push the immune system to health. What type of movement do you know you need to do because it makes you feel alive, full of purpose and energy? What can you model for your congregation in terms of spiritual movement, drive, flushing?

If the metaphor is too abstract then think of your own body. What are you doing to keep your immune system healthy and moving? Our bodies need good, healthy food, 8-9 hours of sleep a night, cardio-aerobic exercise and lots of water. Start there, get healthier yourself and then apply the same concept to your leadership style. Where does the church need to stretch, bend, flex or sprint? What kind of "food" is the church eating? Is the church getting adequate rest? Is the "immune system" of your church being treated to the very best in terms of positive energy. Paul's wonderful words to the Church at Phillipi help here: "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." (4.8)

Feel the difference, see the difference, and most of all live the difference. And let me know what happens. If you are already doing this and your church is moving, let me know that too. Let's share our successes for a healthier Kingdom.