By Paul Benger
We live in a world obsessed with outcomes. Show us the metrics. Give us the results. What’s the function? But in the Kingdom of God, function isn’t the starting point—it’s the result of a deeper, more intentional process. Before God ever asks us to do anything, He forms us. Then He fills us. Then we function.
This divine pattern—Form, Fill, Function—isn’t just good leadership theory; it’s ancient theology rooted in the very beginning of time. It’s how God created the world, how He designed humanity, and how He wants to shape His church today.
Genesis: The Blueprint
In Genesis 1, we see God creating in a clear rhythm. Over six days, He brings order, beauty, and purpose to the formless and empty world. But take a closer look and you’ll notice something fascinating. The first three days are about forming environments. The next three are about filling those environments so they can function.
Day 1: Light and darkness — the creation of time.
Day 2: Sky and sea — the creation of weather and atmosphere.
Day 3: Land and vegetation — the foundation for food.
Then the filling begins:
Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars — to govern time. Day 5: Fish and birds — to fill the seas and sky. Day 6: Animals and humans — to populate the land and carry the image of God.
What’s mind-blowing is how deliberate this sequence is. God forms the container, then fills it with content, so it can fulfill its purpose. There’s no shortcutting the process.
You Were Formed for More
We see this same pattern in the creation of humanity. Genesis 2:7 tells us,
“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” First, the form. Then, the filling. Then, the function.
You weren’t just created to exist—you were created to create. Psalm 139 captures it beautifully:
“You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb… I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14 NIV)
You were formed to hold the content of God, filled with His Spirit and vision, and function in His purposes for your life.
But here’s the tension: sometimes we try to function without being filled. Or we seek filling without ever submitting to the forming process. And when that happens, frustration follows.
What’s This Got to Do with Church? Everything.
Let’s talk real for a second. If you’re in church right now, you’ve probably experienced the highs and lows of church life. Maybe you’ve loved the worship, resonated with the preaching, felt the community—but still asked, “Is there more for me here?” The answer is yes.
But you won’t find it just by attending. You find it by functioning.
Church is not a performance to consume—it’s a body to contribute to. The Apostle Paul says,
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Imagine a body where every part that has been formed by God, filled by God, actually functions in its God-given purpose. That’s not a dream—that’s a healthy, powerful, Kingdom-advancing church.
“Where God has graced you, He wants to place you.”
You don’t have to do everything. But the real miracle is when everyone does something.
What About Teams?
Whether you’re leading a ministry or building a team at work, this same process applies.
Form the team — build trust, create structure, develop culture.
Fill the team — cast vision, stir faith, invite the Holy Spirit.
Function — pursue excellence, be accountable, deliver results.
The danger? Jumping to “function” without attending to the first two stages. When that happens, relationships get stale, vision grows dim, and outcomes fall flat.
Ask yourself:
What form needs attention in my life or ministry? What area needs a fresh filling—vision, faith, enthusiasm? Is my function aligned with God’s purpose, or am I just busy?
You were never meant to just watch the mission of God—you were designed to join it. When we only consume what the church offers, without contributing, we miss the point.
We’ve been filled not just to feel something—but to do something.
So, let this be a holy interruption to your scroll:
What’s your function in the body of Christ?
Where has God formed and filled you for purpose?
You’re not a mistake. You’re not here by accident.
You were formed for something. You were filled for something.
Now it’s time to function in it.
Let the light in you speak louder than the darkness around you.
Let the gift in you contribute to the good of others.
And let the breath of God within you move you to action.
Form. Fill. Function.
It’s not just the order of creation—it’s the key to your calling.
“The real miracle isn’t that someone does everything; the real miracle is that everyone does something.”
Paul Benger 