Not every "Body" is the same - 1 Corinthians 12-14

When we look at the body we notice the extreme differences.  Some frames are large, some small, some tall, other short.   That is, of course, the human body.  Different from each other but basically the same.   In these three chapters of Paul's letter to the Corinthians Paul is about to make the same comparison.   In 12:2-4 he tells us that there are a variety of ministries that have been provided with a variety of different gifts and those various ministries all produce a variety of effects.   We are to rejoice in the "differences" of the Body of Christ (the Church) and rejoice in the fact that each Body is put together the way Christ wants.   We are in such an "arms" race with other churches!!   Back in the Sunday School Days of the 60s and 70s every church had to have a bus to bring the kids into Sunday School.   When we went to "contemporary" worship every church had to have two different services.   We market ourselves after the more publicized and "successful" churches (success being defined as those that grow bigger).  Yet, Paul tells the Corinthians that they are to realize their differences.  Their differences are to be celebrated.   Christ designs each ministry to be different.   We are not to be conformed to one shape or look or form.   God gives a variety of "gifts" so that makes the outcomes different.   God gives a variety of type of "ministries" so that makes the outcome different.   Let's rejoice in the fact that we are different but result in the same body.  Let's rejoice that other ministries are successful in the way Christ intends.  He produces the effect.   Let's not evaluate the results as successful or not successful other than what Paul outlines here.   A successful church, according to this section, is one that is practicing love with the gifts it was given for the purpose of edifying the members of the body to the glory of Christ.   Any other measurement of success would miss what Paul is teaching us.