College sports have changed significantly in recent years. One of the biggest changes is NIL, which stands for Name, Image, and Likeness. NIL allows college athletes to earn money through endorsements and other opportunities connected to their name, image, and likeness. In years past, universities and their supporters could get into trouble for providing players with money, cars, or other benefits to entice them to attend a particular school. Today, the landscape looks very different. One consequence of these changes has been the growth of the transfer portal. When players aren’t getting the playing time they want or believe they can find better opportunities elsewhere, they can transfer to another school in search of something better. As many of you know, I’m a Kansas State Wildcat fan. This past weekend, a former Kansas State wide receiver who transferred to another school for a better financial opportunity was spotted on the sideline watching the scoreboard as highlights of the Kansas State–KU game played in the stadium. Someone posted a picture on social media with the caption, “Wishing he was there.” Last year, he caught 41 passes for 712 yards and five touchdowns in just eight games before an injury cut his season short. This year, through five games, he has eight receptions for 89 yards and no touchdowns. I don’t know everything that went into his decision to transfer, and I don’t want to judge him for it. But that picture and those words got me thinking: Sometimes, the place we leave behind is the place where we were meant to make a difference. So why am I talking about college football and the transfer portal in a church blog? Because I think this story reflects something we see in our culture—and sometimes in our churches. When things don’t go the way we hoped, when we feel overlooked, or when change becomes difficult, it can be tempting to believe that the answer is simply to leave and find something better somewhere else. Sometimes a new beginning is necessary, but sometimes God calls us to stay, invest in one another, and become part of the change we hope to see. As your pastor and friend, here is what I believe: Every person who has become part of Royse City Methodist Church has gifts that can bless this church and help us fulfill the mission God has given us. I’ve been reflecting on Ephesians 4:16, which says: “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” This verse offers us a beautiful picture of what it means to be the church. There are three parts of this passage that I want us to consider. First, Everything Begins with Christ: “From Him” The verse immediately before this passage reminds us that Christ is the head of the church. Everything we do as Royse City Methodist Church must begin with him and be offered for his glory. You’ve heard me say that what we do is for God’s glory, others’ gain, and our good. That is more than a saying; it is a guiding principle for our ministry. Whether we are planning a sermon series, organizing a Bible study, serving our neighbors, or preparing a mission event, our first question should always be, “How does this glorify God and help us make disciples of Jesus Christ?” Our church is not ultimately about a building, a program, a personality, or even a pastor. It is about Jesus Christ. He is our foundation, our purpose, and the one who holds us together. When we begin with Christ, our focus shifts from what we want the church to be for us to what God wants to accomplish through us. Second, Every Person Matters: “The Whole Body” Royse City Methodist Church is an intergenerational congregation, and I believe that is one of our greatest strengths. I love seeing our youngest disciples walking around during worship on Sunday mornings, sitting up front and listening to Ms. Wanda or another faithful servant during Young Disciples Time, and serving alongside some of our most seasoned members. Last week, I wish I had taken a picture of little two-year-old Harvey helping his dad move a cafeteria table back into place after worship. It was a simple moment, but it reminded me that serving the church isn’t something we wait to do when we get older. We can begin learning what it means to serve others from our earliest years. I also want to address the recent miscommunication about children helping with the offering. I want to be clear: I want our children to continue participating in this ministry. We simply need to make sure they are scheduled so they know their service is valued and so we can give more children the opportunity to participate. My hope is that we will continue finding meaningful ways for our children to learn, serve, and worship alongside the rest of the congregation. Our children matter. Our youth matter. Every generation has a place in the life and ministry of this church. On Sunday evenings, we have approximately 10 children, six confirmands, and 10 youth gathering to learn about the love of Jesus through fellowship, Scripture, and lessons. Think about that! We have opportunities to help shape the faith of the next generation, build relationships across generations, and show young people what it means to follow Jesus. And it doesn’t stop with our youngest members. Every adult, every family, every longtime member, and every newcomer has something to contribute. Some gifts are visible from the front of the sanctuary; others happen quietly behind the scenes. Some people teach, lead, sing, or organize. Others pray faithfully, offer encouragement, welcome a visitor, or notice when someone needs help. The body needs all of these gifts. Church is not a place where a few people do the work while everyone else watches. It is a community where every person has the opportunity to discover how God can work through them. Third, We Grow Stronger When We Work Together: “Joined and Held Together by Every Supporting Ligament” Paul describes the church as a body whose parts are joined together, each one helping the whole body grow and become stronger in love. Ligaments hold the body together. They may not always be visible, but they are essential to its strength and movement. When a ligament is seriously injured or ruptured, the entire body can be affected. In some ways, that image describes our life together as a church. We have experienced our share of painful disruptions. Some, like the sanctuary fire, were circumstances beyond our control. Others, like the recent misunderstanding about the offering, remind us that even with the best intentions, communication can break down and hurt can occur. We are human. We will not always get everything right. We will misunderstand one another from time to time, and we will face seasons of uncertainty and disappointment. But those moments do not have to define us. Paul reminds us that the body “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Notice that last phrase: “as each part does its work.” We grow when we serve. We grow when we listen to one another. We grow when we extend grace, work through disagreements, and choose to build one another up rather than tear one another down. We grow when we remember that we belong to Christ and to one another. And we grow when we stop waiting for someone else to make things better and begin asking how God might use us to make a difference. My friends, I believe Royse City Methodist Church is at a point where we need the whole body to step forward. We have an opportunity to look beyond the challenges we have faced and consider what God wants to do through us in the days ahead. Instead of standing on the sidelines, wondering what will happen next, I invite each of us to ask: How can I use my prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness to strengthen the body of Christ at Royse City Methodist Church? How can I pray for this church and the people who call it home? How can I be present and worship faithfully? What gifts has God given me that I can share with others? Where can I serve? How can I tell the story of what Jesus is doing in my life and in our congregation? These are not questions reserved for a few leaders or a handful of dedicated volunteers. They are questions for all of us. Will You Join Me? My friends, I believe God has so much in store for the people and ministries of Royse City Methodist Church. We have neighbors who need to experience the love of Christ. We have children and young people who need to grow in faith. We have people in our community who need to know they are not alone. And we have opportunities to become an even stronger, more faithful witness to the grace of God. I cannot promise that the road ahead will always be easy. We will face challenges, make mistakes, and need to extend grace to one another along the way. But I believe we can move forward together when Christ remains at the center and each of us does our part. I will continue to preach the gospel, lead with prayer, and create opportunities for people to grow in faith and serve others. I want every person who calls Royse City Methodist Church home to know that they matter, that their gifts are needed, and that there is a place for them in the work God is doing here. We are called to serve together, to be renewed, and to be rooted in Christ. So let’s not spend our time wishing we were somewhere else or waiting for someone else to make a difference. Let’s trust God, invest in one another, and discover what can happen when the whole body works together in love. My final question is simple: Will you join me? Be God’s Pastor Chris
