It bears repeating: There are numerous New Testament mandates which require that our gatherings as the church be participatory, with ministry one to another out of the diverse gifts God distributes among us. Unfortunately, however, what we tend to have these days are “mono-churches” that are centered around the monopolizing monologue preaching by the “one” … Or centered around one particular gift, vision or ministry emphasis. Instead of mono-churches, here are just some of the New Testament’s many commands about how we are to gather and function together as the multi-part, multi-functional, multi-gifted Body of Christ … For the mutual edification and building up of each other by one another. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Th. 5:11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Pet. 4:10 “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” 1 Cor. 14:26 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom …” Col. 3:16 “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” Rom. 15:14 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food …” Heb. 5:12 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Heb. 10:24-25 “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” 1 Cor. 12:17 Leaders in the church do not have a monopoly on ministry, but instead are “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ …” Eph. 4:12 Finally, we are not to be the church based on “human cunning… Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 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.” Eph. 4:14-16 So in conclusion: The New Testament commands that we gather for ministry by one another for the mutual building up of each other … Not by or about the “one.” Big difference!