How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. I Corinthians 14:26
When the body of Christ comes together as an assembly of the Lord each member has a part to contribute to the other members! Like the human body, each of its organs has a part and so it is with the spiritual body.
Through the years tradition and doctrine have changed our assemblies and they have become more of a spectator sport rather than the assembly of God. Superstar preachers and mega-churches have greatly restricted the members in their ability to operate in their God-given gifts and so the body just sits in the pew and dies spiritually.
Pastors have taken the role of the apostle who has the blueprint for the spiritual temple of God and have built a pedestal (altar) for themselves and have neglected the body of Christ! Millions meet on Sunday and hear preaching but never have a chance to exercise their gifts, so the body begins to shut down just like a human body when it dies!
Even so, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. I Corinthians 14:12
Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin
Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ