Have we become obsessed with the wrong things?

"Encourage one another and build each other up." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

At some point in time, most church leaders (including myself) have mistakenly believed that the more people coming into our church buildings must be a sign of "success." Of course, there is a genuine story as to what this may imply for your community, however it is not the entire truth. 

A lot of times, our bigger gatherings lack the opportunities for authentic connection and discipleship.  How do we encourage each other and build each other up, if we hardly engage with anyone else during the worship services? Even if I am part of a small group, is there opportunity to love each other, to really walk with another Christ-follower, and to get to the heart of our unique struggles in faith? Sometimes, but not always!

Jesus modelled for us that true discipleship starts with 2 or 3. If our meeting together is to encounter Christ and to worship him, then we should always remember that God is present even in the smallest groups.

"For wherever two or three are assembled in my name, I am there with them.” - Matthew 18: 20

What do you feel about this? Any thoughts?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Christ shapes us through the lives of others

C.S. Lewis – “Christ works on us in all sorts of ways…but above all, He works on us through each other.”

These words from C.S. Lewis reminds us of the great importance of being together in fellowship with others that belong to the body of Christ. We may not always get along or agree on everything, but we are created to be in community.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25

Living in grace

D3LM3

Let us spur one other on

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:24

Spurring one another on is an interesting thought, especially if we think about what a ‘SPUR’ really is. A horse SPUR is a device with a small spike on the end or a spiked wheel, that is worn on a horse rider's heel. It is used for urging a horse forward or encouraging it to listen to instructions. 

I am not sure if we would like one another to use a spiked wheel to encourage us in our faith, but I think we understand the sentiment. There are times when we need our Christian family to strongly keep us focussed and on track.  

Another definition of the word 'spur', is perhaps a little less painful - it is to “give an incentive or encouragement to (someone).”

Thought: Who needs an encouraging word today? How are you able to spur someone onto 'love and good deeds?'

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Missing Fellowship

I am missing the fellowship of meeting together as believers. I think that this week has just been one of those moments where the reality of not 'being together' has begun to hit home. On the one hand, I am truly grateful for what modern technology gives to us, especially in times like Covid-19, but on the other hand, I am acutely aware of what it lacks in many other areas. 

There is a lovely Hymn that speaks of the gift of worshipping together and as I offer you these words, may you know that we are still united in the Presence of Jesus Christ. I hope that when we eventually get back together in a worship venue, that beauty of that moment will never be taken for granted again!

"All praise to our redeeming Lord,
who joins us by his grace,
and bids us, each to each restored,
together seek his face.

He bids us build each other up;
and gathered into one,
to our high calling’s glorious hope,
we hand in hand go on.

The gift which he on one bestows
we all delight to prove;
the grace through every vessel flows,
in purest streams of love.

Even now we think and speak the same,
and cordially agree;
concentered all, through Jesus’ name,
in perfect harmony.

We all partake the joy of one,
the common peace we feel,
a peace to sensual minds unknown,
a joy unspeakable.

And if our fellowship below
in Jesus be so sweet,
What height of rapture shall we know
When round his throne we meet." - Charles Wesley

What do you miss the most about 'Church Life' at the moment?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The pack of Porcupines

German Philosopher, Schopenhauer once remarked that Christians are like a pack of porcupines on a freezing cold night. The freezing weather conditions force the porcupines together for warmth, but as they get closer to each other their quills begin to jab and wound each other. So they move away from each other, only to repeat the process over and over again.

I think this brilliantly describes the dilemma of Christian fellowship. True community is difficult – just when you feel it is all going well, then suddenly something bursts the bubble and people feel wounded. Over the years of ministry in various churches I have discovered that relationships within a community of faith are complex. In the very place where we should be showing love and care for each another, we often discover that this is not the case. (This extract was taken from my recent book Whatever it Takes)

      

      If you belong to any community, religious or not, then you would have experienced something of this Porcupine effect. It seems to happen wherever people gather together. We need to be in community and so we are drawn together, but after a while we find other people irritating, frustrating and just 'different.' This leads us to pull away again. However, in the end we will find that we need human company again and so we will come back together. 

      If we are going to live together in community, then perhaps we need to listen to this advice:

    "It requires less character to discover the faults of others than it does to tolerate them.’ – J. Petit-Senn

    Living in Grace

    D3LM3