Partnership

Loneliness is more common than you think.   According to a report out of Harvard University, more 50% of people say that they are lonely.  In an August article in Scientific American, before the COVID pandemic, more than two-thirds of Americans considered themselves lonely.   A loneliness report,published here in Australia, might sound a bit more encouraging, noting that one in four Australian adults are lonely.  The reality remains, there are a lot of lonely people.

It is natural to be lonely sometimes.  It really is part of being human.   But when you’re chronically lonely — when you feel socially isolated or disconnected for long periods — it can seriously damage your health.   We have seen some of the impact of this during the current pandemic.   In fact, a 2015 study revealed that chronic loneliness increases your chance of dying by a staggering 26 percent.

While the government restrictions imposed in response to COVID forced people to isolate, there are many people who desire isolation and being alone.   Many perhaps identify with the words of Simon and Garfunkel's 1960's hit (I Am A Rock):  "I've built walls, a fortress, steep and mighty that none may penetrate.  I have no need of friendship.... I touch no one and no one touches me.  I am a rock.   I am island."   While this might describe many people, this does not describe what it means to be one of our churches in the CRCA.   As churches we value togetherness, not loneliness.   Partnership, not independence.   We might minister in an island country and have churches on more than one island, but we are not islands to each other.

We have been considering the Biblical values that shape the culture of the CRCA, a contemporary, Reformed, gospel-focused denomination.   Last week we began to look at the fourth core value: 'Local Church Empowering'.   By this value we are saying that as a denomination we are light on structures and hierarchy, and high on support, partnership, mutual accountability and encouragement.   We have already considered the value of support and now turn to the value of partnership.

The idea of partnership is clearly reflected in the early church.  The apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi:  "I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of the partnership in the gospel from the first day until now...." (Phillippians 1:3-5)   The word "partnership" is a rich word in the Greek language, the word "koinonia", often translated as fellowship.   Here in Australia we might translate that same word as "mateship".   

Mateship is valued in Australia and conjurs up the ideas of loyalty, equality, support, friendship.   True mates look after each other.   They are in it together, and not alone. There are the ANZAC legends of mateship where diggers would fight together with courage under fire.   We see this same spirit of mateship in the horror and tragedy of fires or floods, as we saw in the 2010-11 floods, the 2020 bushfires and floods, and again this week along the east coast of Australia.  In times like these, no walls are built, no one is an island, everyone is in need of friendship, and people come together as one!

This togetherness, this partnership, this fellowship, is what we believe the church is all about!   This is what it means to be part of the CRCA denomination.   We are in this together.   We are one.  We are one body.   One in the Spirit.  One in Christ.  We have one God and Father of all.  (see Ephesians 4:4-5)  We believe in "one holy catholic (catholic=universal) and apostolic church" (Nicene Creed).  As churches we are devoted to this partnership ("koinonia" - Acts 2:42)   We are a "fellowship of congregations" (Our World Belongs to God ,par. 39)   Our local churches are not independent of each other, but we are a partnership of congregations.  To use another image in Scripture, we are "yoked" together (see 2 Corinthians 6:14).   In our common commitments to the teachings of Scripture, the Confessions, and the Gospel we walk and work together in true partnership, fellowship, mateship!

How is this partnership lived out among our churches?   As churches we do not lord over one another, but we work together to help each other flourish as congregations.  If there is a need in one congregation, surrounding churches are there ready to give advice, provide guidance, and offer financial support.   Local ministers give of their time to preach, to teach, and to give counsel.  We share the financial load among the churches for denominational workers and ministries, both local and overseas (Ministry Formation, Church Safe, SWIM, World Transform, GOSPEL, Church Planting).   Through SHIFT Coaching we emphasize how every minister, every church leader, is not to remain isolated in ministry, but have others who they can do ministry with.   In the various states, churches come together for targetted youth events and gatherings.  There are national gatherings for women and youth.  We also have a strong partnership with the Reformed Theological College so that gospel workers are continually being raised up.   As a denomination we also value the importance of having partnerships with other Reformed denominations, as we do internationally through the ICRC and the Reformed Churches of New Zealand, and nationally with the MOU established with the Presbyterian Church of Australia (PCA).

Why have these partnerships?   What really is the benefit?   Perhaps the main benefit is the reason why chronic loneliness needs to be addressed.   Chronic loneliness leads to decreased health and increases the possibility of dying.   As churches we are committed to growing healthy churches.  For local churches to be healthy they need strong partnerships.  For us as a denomination to be healthy we need strong partnerships.   We need know and to experience the joy of being in it together and not alone.  This is why we value the partnership we have in the gospel!   We are not islands.   We are a partnership!