As I think back on the TV shows I have enjoyed the most (whether comedies or dramas), I realize that one of the biggest drawing cards for me was the cast. It’s not because of the brilliance of one cast member but because of how all the cast members worked together and fed off each other. The ensemble cast.
The writers for these hit shows have masterfully created a perfect role for each character to play, which highlights something particular about that individual but which is also magnified when juxtaposed against his or her other cast members. For instance, in Cheers, baseball has-been great Sam Malone would be nothing without the literary Diane to take him down a peg and vice versa.
The truth in the power of the ensemble cast is in the success of the spinoffs. Frasier worked because of another stellar ensemble cast. Joey, a spin off of Friends, not so much.
God never meant for individuals to “go it alone.” That is the purpose of the church, with its individual members with their personalized gifts, strengths, and abilities.
The American culture, which celebrates the individual and the individual's ability to "go it alone," is in direct contrast to God’s design—to rely on and build up each other. We were meant to be an ensemble cast. Not an individual star.
Even the giants of the faith, whom we often think of as independent superstars, worked with others. Paul had his Barnabas and Timothy and the prayers and support of the churches he founded. Moses had Aaron and Hur.
Paul speaks often of this interconnection of the church members, such as I Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:4-5, and my favorite, Ephesians 4:16--From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Yes, as individuals we can each work independently, and at times must. But for the gospel message to really grow, we each need to embrace who God made us, the abilities He has given us, the place He has planted us, and the fellow Christians He has surrounded us with. Our goal should not be to draw attention to ourselves, but rather to complement the abilities of those we fellowship and work with. Only then will the church and the spreading gospel will truly flourish.
(Photo taken from theviralfeed.com)
The writers for these hit shows have masterfully created a perfect role for each character to play, which highlights something particular about that individual but which is also magnified when juxtaposed against his or her other cast members. For instance, in Cheers, baseball has-been great Sam Malone would be nothing without the literary Diane to take him down a peg and vice versa.
The truth in the power of the ensemble cast is in the success of the spinoffs. Frasier worked because of another stellar ensemble cast. Joey, a spin off of Friends, not so much.
God never meant for individuals to “go it alone.” That is the purpose of the church, with its individual members with their personalized gifts, strengths, and abilities.
The American culture, which celebrates the individual and the individual's ability to "go it alone," is in direct contrast to God’s design—to rely on and build up each other. We were meant to be an ensemble cast. Not an individual star.
Even the giants of the faith, whom we often think of as independent superstars, worked with others. Paul had his Barnabas and Timothy and the prayers and support of the churches he founded. Moses had Aaron and Hur.
Paul speaks often of this interconnection of the church members, such as I Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:4-5, and my favorite, Ephesians 4:16--From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Yes, as individuals we can each work independently, and at times must. But for the gospel message to really grow, we each need to embrace who God made us, the abilities He has given us, the place He has planted us, and the fellow Christians He has surrounded us with. Our goal should not be to draw attention to ourselves, but rather to complement the abilities of those we fellowship and work with. Only then will the church and the spreading gospel will truly flourish.
(Photo taken from theviralfeed.com)
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