oikodomen

Edification is a beautiful concept. It means to build up. In the New Testament it appears in several different places. Paul uses it in Ephesians 4:12 in reference to the various gifts people bring to the table. The Greek word there is Oikodomen. The Oik part of it means house, whereas the domen part of it means to build up. So, Paul’s concept of edification is not to just build but to build a house. If read in the context Paul uses this word, it means to build up the house that is the body of Christ. The fuller context will add the idea of everyone building this house with whatever gift they have to be truly the somatos the body of Christ.

Just as it is important to understand that the church, the Body of Christ, is an Ekklaysia (see here) called out with a purpose, it is important to reflect on how this Ekklaysia is built up. It is built as one house not houses just one house. That is also where the concept of Ecumenism comes from, the Oikoumen is the entire world being one house.

The essential ingredient to building this one house is the recognition that all of us bring to the making of this house our unique gifts. No one gift is superior or inferior to the other hence, hierarchy in edification of the Body of Christ are two diametrically opposed concepts. In fact, edification, in the true Pauline sense is impossible with a hierarchy in place.

And yet we do believe in a God that brings order to chaos for the sake of life. We also believe in a God who gives us the freedom to make decisions. He lets us decide if we are going to build up or tear down. His hope and prayer is that we will decide to build up and build it up to be the one true Body of Christ. Jesus prayed that his Disciples would be one so that the world will know and understand the relationship between him and God the Father. Simply put, it is our decision to build the Body of Christ to be a home for us. We do this as a community that acknowledges, celebrates, and utilizes our differences. We encourage each other to express our differences fully and we do not eliminate differences amongst us.

So, how can we acknowledge each others gifts equally for the purpose of building up the true building the Body of Christ? The answer, in my humble opinion, is that we already are doing it by gathering around The Table with full recognition of our differences. Each one is offering their gifts, be it the chefs, the elegant touches, the musicians, the organizers, the table servers, those who help us pray and those who help us think through the Scriptures, those who teach, and those who shepherd. Each of us through our unique gifts is building (edifying) the true building, which is our true home, the Body of Christ.

As one who is called out to do the work of a shepherd, I feel it imperative that we do not create hierarchies. For this reason, I propose that instead of a permission seeking/giving system, we live into the concept of edification by being sensitive to all the different gifts which equally contribute to the building of our home. I feel we can do that if we practice these guidelines each time we are to make a decision: First, does the decision I am about to make for The Table align with, and take us a step further, in our mission and purpose of making disciples of all nations? Have I explored thoroughly how my decision aligns? Second, how many people will my decision impact? If it impacts three or more people, have I consulted with at least one other leader of The Table and engaged in a thorough consideration of the impact of my decision. Third, is my decision expecting other leaders to take on additional responsibilities? If so, have I consulted with those whom I expect to be active participants in the execution of my decision?

May we build our home with everyone fully included.

Amjad+