COMMUNITY

What is the one thing that sets Christians apart from the rest of the world?  What is it about the church that makes it so attractive to those outside the church?   You might think it is our faith, our steadfast faith in what God says to us in His Word.   Our belief in Jesus, that he is the eternal Son God, the One who died for humanity's sin, and has opened the way for us to find a restored relationship with God.   The Bible, our Christian doctrines, our confessions of faith.   These set apart believers from unbelievers and others in the world.

Well faith is important.   In fact, the apostle John tells us that everything is written in God's Word to bring us to faith in Jesus. (John 20:31)   In the book of Hebrews we are told that "without faith it is impossible to please God."  (Hebrews 11:6)   But yet, while faith is essential, when our Lord Jesus pointed to the distinguishing mark of Christians he did not point to faith but love.   He said, "Everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." (John 13:35)   In the New Testament we find the apostle Paul frequently using the triology of faith, hope, and love as markers of those who follow Jesus.  But again, while "these three remain:  faith, hope and love ... the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)  In the fitting lyric's penned by Jason Upton:  "They'll know we are Christians by our love."   As Francis A. Schaeffer writes in his classic book, The Mark of the Christian, "Love, and the unity it attests to - is the mark Christ gave Christians to wear before the world.  Only with this mark may the world know that Christians are indeed Christians and that Jesus was sent by the Father."  

The importance of love among Christians has been verified by the research done by NCD (Natural Church Development).  They discovered that love, and more specifically, loving relationships, is essential to church health.   If you want your church to be healthy and growing, loving relationships need to be flourishing in your church.   This is what I want to focus on in this final article on the eight quality characteristics of healthy churches. ¹  

What does loving relationships look like in the local church?  Well, a key aspect of loving relationships is hinted at in the word 'community'.   We often speak about the church as a community of believers, as echoed in the Heidelberg Catechism: the church is "a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith.   And of this community I am and always will be a living member." (Lord's Day 21)   This word 'community' comes from the Latin word communitas from which we also get the word 'communion'.   This word  has the ideas of having things in common or with unity!   This speaks to the oneness that ought to mark the Christian church.   Sadly, so many churches present to the world a tarnished image of God - a shattered body of Christ.   But as Paul insists as he writes to the church in Ephesus:   "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  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 4:3-6)   Again to quote the lyrics of James Upton's song, "We are one in the Spirit -We are one in the Lord - and we pray that all unity may one day be restored."   It is no wonder then, as Jesus prayed for all believers, he prayed the words:  "I pray ... that all of them may be one.... I in them, and you in me; may they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you hast sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me” (John 17:20-21, 23).

Is that your prayer for your church?   That your church may be brought to complete unity!   And are you making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace?   This is what characterizes healthy and growing churches.   There is a lot of joy and laughter, not bitterness and complaining.   People do not hold bitterness toward one another.   When there are disagreements, people go quickly to one another in order to resolve them.   People find it easy to talk to others about their personal problems. The church leaders have a deep concern for those who go through personal problems, and are ready to assist.   People enjoy each other's company and relating to one another.   Friendships are forged.   Conversations are marked by regular praise, acknowledgement, encouragement, and celebration.   And those outside the church will notice!   As they did in the first century Rome as the historian Tertullian described the early church:   "We are a body knit together as such by a common religious profession, by unity of discipline, and by the bond of a common hope.... it is mainly the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us. See, they say, how they love one another, for they themselves are animated by mutual hatred; how they are ready even to die for one another, for they themselves will sooner put to death."  A body knit together.  Unity of discipline.  Bond of hope.  If that describes your church people will say of you:  see how they love one another.

What sets Christians apart from others!   It is all wrapped up in that one word:  LOVE!  Not just any kind of love, but "sincere love" as writes the apostle Peter:   "Have sincere love for one another, love one another deeply, from the heart.... Love the fellowship of believers."  (1 Peter 1:22; 2:17)   Healthy and growing churches are marked by loving community.    

¹ For the rest of the articles, check out the previous articles on: empowering leadership, gift-based ministry, passionate spirituality, effective structures, inspiring worship services, holistic small groups, and need-orientated evangelism.