In the most ironic of ways, church life today among
spiritual leaders and even members is characterized by loneliness. What was meant in God's original intent of
the Church to be an example of inseparable community has proven to be far from
its beginnings. Furthermore, camaraderie
among churches has been weakened by a sense of competition driven by an
egocentric spirit. Strong language, I
know, but this not only disturbs me personally, it also makes me disgusted at
what we've become. And, I'm committed to contributing to the cultivation of a
belonging culture. So, I say... no more
attendance announcements unless we are bragging about someone else's ministry;
no more neglect unless it’s our own selfish ends; no more jealousy unless it’s
for God's glory in His Church. Let's get
back to what is necessary - not me, but WE!
Jerry Bridges says in his book True Community, "God
has created us to be dependent both on Him and on one another. Spiritual fellowship is not a luxury but a
necessity, vital to our spiritual growth and health." When we actually do life together, we speak
of who the Church is and why she exists in the world.
Why is doing life together so necessary? There are certain needs common to everyone
that can only be truly realized and met within community. Here is a list of needs that come to mind:
- Accountability
- Friendship
- Health
- Relationship
- Support
- Training
What if we had a culture that not only encouraged the
meeting of these needs, but actually met them in an ongoing and on-purpose
fashion? Well, the sounds of a movement
will soon be heard! If community is
necessary then so is a holy discontent that speaks to it. God hasn't given up on His original intent;
therefore, we shouldn’t either.
How can you help make such a movement possible?
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