Ultimately the growth of the kingdom is God’s task. But he accomplishes that task by giving each of his children talents which they are to use to his glory (Matt. 25:15-30; Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-20).  Contrary to what most believe, the work of ministry is the responsibility of the whole church. The task of the evangelists, teachers, and shepherds is not to do the work, but to train the members to do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).  This process is to go on until we all attain to spiritual maturity.

One can maintain membership in a club simply by paying dues. But one cannot maintain membership in a body on that basis. Our fingers, toes, ears, eyes all of our members must stay connected with our body, or they will soon die. In scripture, the church is never compared to a club. It is compared to a body. To maintain membership in the church, we must be involved. A disconnected church member is no more a real member of the church than an amputated limb is still part of a human body.