A Shared Life and a Shared Mission

by Terry Shanahan, Northeast Regional Minister

I grew up with two older brothers and a younger sister. My memory is that I was not big into sharing with them. If for instance, one of my brothers received a new football or basketball, I had no trouble seeing those things as community property. But if I received a new ball glove, I was loath to let one of them borrow it, even for an afternoon. I suppose I justified my selfishness by clinging to the thought that I had limited resources and I was protecting my property, taking good care of it and making it last. The truth was, I was a selfish person who wanted others to share what they had while I had no intentions of sharing what I had. Of course this was before Christ was the focus of my life. I would like to think that I am now a new creation and that the old is gone. But I am often reminded that my default position is my sin nature. As generous or as giving as I would like to think I am, I am often convicted of how deceived I am, and I haven’t changed much from the selfish kid who wants what he wants when he wants it.

I was recently with a group of pastors who met together for a half day of prayer. We all came from diverse theological backgrounds: some Baptist, some Congregationalist, some Presbyterian, some Reformed, some not. We prayed together for revival in our region, and that we might be one, unified in Christ Jesus. Through prayer there came a conviction that we would not become one if we were concentrating on protecting our own turf. We would never become one, if we were resistant to sharing what we had for fear of losing it. In contrast to Scripture, we desperately hold on to things that are not ours to hold on to. Like selfish kids, pastors are holding on to their own brand of church, fearful of sharing. Pastors in the Lord came face to face with their sin that day, and conviction came. Contrast our lack of sharing with the New Testament church in Acts 2:42–47:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The New Testament church that shared, added to their number daily. Being a community that lives out a shared life and mission not only has strong Biblical foundations, but it lives out the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ belongs to the whole Church, and the whole Church belongs to Him. He shares His glory and grace with His entire community of followers, and we are called to do the same. In the CCCC we are more theologically diverse than ever, but what a blessing to share that diversity because of the unity we have in our Lord Jesus.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4)

Be sure to come and be part of our community — living out a shared life and mission at our Annual Gathering, July 20–23 in Rochester, New York with our theme, “Fully Invested.”