A Treasure
by John Kimball, CCCC Director of Church Development
As I write this, I have just returned from a precious time with several other pastoral brethren from around the country. Once each year we gather — and while there is some teaching and study, there is also vital prayer and deep fellowship. I have among these brothers something that is becoming hard to find today: authentic community. It’s truly a treasure!
Many churches today suffer from what you have heard me refer to as “The Hamster Wheel Syndrome.” Pastors and parishioners alike have an affinity for one another, but they do not have time to let that affinity grow into something deeper because they are all so busy — running full tilt in familiar activities, but not really getting anywhere. It is rare today when a church is able to foster deep and abiding relationships through which the Holy Spirit can rework each one into the mighty disciple He desires us to become. People do not want to expose how much about Christ and the Bible they do not yet understand. They’re careful not to show their real heart. They keep things superficial, fearing what others may think about their convictions. They avoid accountability, and in so doing, any chance of real discipleship. Few among them practice authentic reconciliation of relationships — either from ignorance of how to approach conflict in a godly manner or because they do not understand that the relief of reconciliation is far more wonderful than the relief of avoidance. And so the Church’s experience of fellowship remains at a light, social level rather than going deep to prepare us for full-blown and fruitful participation in Christ’s mission.
Sometimes I wonder if even our language misleads people. We talk about a “personal relationship with Jesus,” but I hope we understand that salvation is not simply an individual reality. We are not to be loners for the Kingdom, but are saved into community: we’re a body — the family of God in Christ. It is in community that our God forms us into His instrument. It is in community that we learn to take our doctrine and turn it into a way of life that breeds transformation in and through us. It is in community that we find the tools, partnership and support for real reconciliation of hard relationships. It is in community that mentoring and discipleship become normal and we grow in maturity and the fullness of Christ.
Before the foundations of the world, from eternity past through eternity future, our Triune God has been in perfect community — Father, Son and Spirit — and He has designed us to function in the same way. We are to be in a loving communion with Him first, and then with each other. And yet, this foundation is all but missing in so many congregations today. We’re fearful. We’re suspicious. We’re “self-contained.”
Healthy churches continuously build community. The redeeming work of the local body is done in community, and much of what we do in Church Development focuses on fostering that vital piece of the church puzzle. Discipleship and spiritual formation require it. Would you like to know more? Contact the CCCC Main Office at 651-739-1474 for more information.
