What does it mean to be part of the body of Christ when long-term illness, or some other circumstance, keeps someone from gathering with other believers? Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have been united in him and equipped by the Holy Spirit with diverse gifts, given to build one another up, encourage one another, and sustain our unity (Eph 2:11–22, 4:1–16). In 1 Corinthians 12:22–26, Paul explains that this oneness has such a profound impact on the members that when one suffers all of them suffer. When one member may be described as ‘weak’ they are not suddenly dispensable, but rather they are to be cared for, not to be neglected by other members with whom God has deliberately arranged them in fellowship. In fact, members of the body of Christ are commissioned by him to support those who are broken and hurt. This vision of spiritual unity is powerfully and painfully tested when one of its members becomes isolated. That’s what happened to me.
Chronic Illness, Isolation and Grief
In our church culture, our spiritual oneness is often expressed by attending a local church meeting together on Sunday, encouraging each other at a Bible study, serving each other on rosters, participating in mission prayer gatherings, and so on. As we live out this unity in the body of Christ, one of the great comforts we experience is knowing we are not alone in our suffering. This was my experience of the body of Christ until I contracted Covid-19 in June 2022 and, like thousands of other Australians, did not recover as expected.
I’ve been battling long Covid ever since. I have not been able to return to full-time work, socialising is very limited, and medical ways forward are vague at best. I am mostly housebound and often bedridden with symptom flare-ups. My ability to participate in how the body of Christ expresses its unity in local gatherings has been seriously impacted. While my desire to gather has not faded, my physical capacity has. The isolation I am experiencing from church and regular face-to-face spiritual encouragement is so confronting it has caused grief that has spilled over into questioning Gods’ goodness.
This grief has come in layers. At first, I had to step back from co-leading Bible study, a space where I felt purposeful and deeply committed to connecting with others. Then, I could no longer make it to church—not by choice, but by necessity. When illness takes away your ability to show up it can take away your sense of belonging. People often don’t know what to say or do, and instead of reaching in, they wait for you to reach out—as if the ability to maintain connection should rest on your shoulders. But when you are carrying so much already—illness, grief, loss—it becomes impossible to also carry the burden of making others feel comfortable with your suffering. That too is a kind of isolation.
Meeting Isolated Believers Where They Are
Those who are suffering in isolation, physically unable to attend church, need the local body of Christ to stand shoulder to shoulder with them, and not to become distant. We are called to meet them where they are, spiritually, emotionally, physically and relationally, not allowing isolation to become a weapon that Satan uses against their faith.
This will mean considering the limitations the illness is causing them and being creative in how the church body can include them in genuine and specific spiritual encouragement. This will involve concrete actions like meeting them on the terms the illness is dictating; visiting them regularly; checking in with messages, phone calls, and prayer; online streaming of church services; and inviting them to outings safe for their health.
The Philippians’ Ministry to the Imprisoned Apostle
Paul described how he experienced oneness with church in Philippi, even though he was in prison and therefore physically absent from those he loved (Php 1:12–14, 27–30). He thanked God for them, remembered their fellowship, assuring them that “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (1:3–8). How did he still experience the closeness of the unity he shared with them when circumstances kept him away from their church gathering? The Philippians held him firmly in their heart by not considering his absence to be a reason to not actively seek fellowship. The church he planted didn’t forget him just because he wasn’t in the room. Rather, they sent messengers, shared in his needs, and encouraged him (2:25, 30; 4:10–19). Paul writes:
It was good of you to share in my troubles … I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God (Philippians 4:14, 18).
In the same way, we must not let the physical absence of our suffering sisters and brothers due to long-term illness, result in spiritual disconnection. The illness has left them unable to connect with others with the capacity they once had. The Philippians’ example can help shape how the rest of the body of Christ can move toward them, hold them firmly in our hearts and embody the unity we all have in Christ. The gifts God has given them are not indispensable or less vital because of illness, but continue to powerfully point to our shared identity in Jesus.
We should not only welcome the strong but expand our understanding of how to welcome the weak who cannot walk through our church doors, but who are part of Christ’s body.
