know areas where there is no wit ness and no churches at all. There is another meaning to this word which has a medical conno tation. The thought denotes the correct articulating of limbs and joints in the body. It carries the idea of resetting that which has been broken and dislocated. Such can bring a restoration of harmony and efficient functioning. This word should have a place in our prayers for churches around the j world. We find the term recurring in Scripture. Galatians 6:1 tells us, "If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore suqh an once." The idea means to mend him or to return him to his proper place in the Body. There are all sorts of bodies. Not much can be achieved by the life less form on a slab in a morgue. There are too many churches like that. They are limp and lifeless. It is our responsibility to see that the Body is in perfect condition. It is like the body of an athlete. He must keep in proper shape. The writer to the Hebrews offers this classic prayer, "May He equip you in every good thing to do His good w ill." This is the word for completeness once again. How complete are you? Most of the New Testament letters were writ ten to very imperfect churches. Some were doctrinally unsound and the people spiritually unstable. Paul, James, John and Peter were all concerned about the fact that the people needed to be perfected in Christ. This is not to teach sin less perfection but rather sanctifi cation. Some groups of so-called Christians are out of joint with each other. Other churches are crippled and lame with false teaching and
Michael Griffith is the General Director of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship. Equipment of the Saints Have you ever considered how wonderful it is that as believers we are all a part of the Lord's body, each with a different gift of minis try (Ephesians 4:11-13)? As a mis sionary, my desire is to see the building up of the Church. In this portion of Scripture we see the "equipment" of the saints for the work of service. As believers we are to be equipped to minister for the glory of Cod. Behind that word is the idea of putting things in or der. It means to prepare and per fect a thing for its full purpose. It is the idea of fulfilling the reason for which something was made. We find this expressed in Mark 1:19. "And when He had gone a little further thence, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets." They were "equipping" the nets; getting them ready for use. The disciples were told by the Lord, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." If the net is not repaired, some fish may be lost. How is your life? Are there some holes that need to be taken care of? Are there some quarrels which must be untangled? Has your equipment been readied for the Lord's service? The disciples had more at stake than the catching of fish. They were to grow spiritually, to multi ply, to increase, to propogate and to plant other churches as the Lord might lead. In foreign service this is crucial. We need those who are willing to plant churches. There are many places where thousands of people have never had a Chris tian witness. In central Thailand, I
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