Later, I saw a copy of the photograph. The individual faces were important, but the key feature was the entire church family gathered at homecoming. Seeing the big picture enables us to catch a glimpse of our connections with all people, places and times. Seeing the big picture requires us to look beyond our own needs and wishes so we can see the horizon of God's future for the church. Certainly, individuals are important and essential because each person brings his or her own gifts, graces, needs and dreams to the church.
Every person has a ministry to be shared with others and affirmed by the church.
Moreover, God knows and loves each individual. God desires a relationship with everyone. Each person is valuable to God and needed to help the church body function properly. When the church functions properly, individual members unite in ministry and service. The church that sees the big picture values and supports people as, together, they do Christ's work in the world.