the church and the appendix

yesterday in high school sunday school, we were talking about how the church is the body of christ. we did the usual discussion of where each person sees themselves in the body of christ and how the body is weakened or worse if part of the body of christ is missing. one of our youth, however, asked about the appendix and referenced how that organ isn't a necessary part of the body. in fact, many people have theirs removed because it causes problems.

i immediately jumped into pastor mode - explaining the role of metaphorical language and how there are some necessary deficiencies whenever we use metaphorical language. back in the first century, people weren't regularly having appendectomies, so paul wouldn't have necessarily know about those when writing this chapter of corinthians.

as the discussion continued, we also discussed how a person would've died without an appendectomy -- or at least been incredibly sick for a long time -- back then. and i realized that as much as i love the writings of paul, i had to agree iwth this youth. sometimes, in our groups, in our churches, there has to be a necessary removal in order for the rest of the body to survive -- in order for the rest of the body to function as a healthy body should.

i'm not saying that if we disagree with someone or if they get on our nerves or if they have questionable theology (according to us), we should immediately kick them out of the church. i am, suggesting, however, that after considerable thought, prayer, compassion, and time, removing a person from a church or even a program from a church in order is a consideration. if a person or program is using so much staff and volunteer time and energy that the person or program stops the growth, maybe it is okay to excuse that person or program. maybe it is okay if every single church doesn't have a young agult program or a wednesday night program or a cub scouts program - just like every single body doesn't have tonsils or an appendix. in fact, every single body doesn't even have perfect eyesight and that doesn't mean that the body is dificient. it just means that we thoughtfully and prayerfully consider how we as a community of believers countinue to nourish ourselves in such a way that we are truly the body of christ. that through us, the salvific love of christ shines in whatever darkness this world doles out.