Haven't you heard people say, 'I can enjoy and worship God in nature; I don't need to go to church,' or, 'I watch online and enjoy it so much, I can even attend in my pajamas'? There's some truth to these statements. We can definitely see God in nature and sometimes, due to illness, we may not worship with others. However, it is clear that God's intentions were that we gather together when we worship. How do I know this? Because of the many, many times the Bible uses the expression, "One another" or "Each other" when discussing the interactions we should be having with other believers.
The Church as a Team: Our Purpose and Goals
A church is, in essence, a team. We have a shared goal which is to reach people for Christ and to show Christ's love to the world. Within this are smaller goals: having a successful youth ministry, an effective Bible study ministry, a great choir, making newcomers feel welcome, serving the poor, and having church social activities where we can get to know one another better.
Common Challenges in Church Communities
Team problems are similar in many ways, whether in the workplace or in our local church. There can be poor communication or conflicting personalities. Trust issues may arise when people feel uncomfortable asking for help or offering assistance. Competition, unclear expectations, and a lack of connection or sense of purpose are common problems. Sometimes people simply wonder, 'Why are we doing what we're doing?'
Biblical Solutions for Church Unity
So many Bible verses address these issues. The Bible teaches us to live in harmony, encourage and build each other up. We are told to be humble, avoid slander or judgment, bear with one another, forgive, and instruct with gentleness when necessary. We are to show one another kindness, compassion, and love. We should be hospitable, greet one another warmly, and sing hymns together. Finally, we are instructed to serve one another. (Scripture references are below)
Treating Others with Christlike Love
Since we are all flawed, we won't always be able to treat each other as we should. But if we all make a prayerful effort to treat others as more important than ourself and to love others as Christ loves us, then we will be far more successful in reaching our goals. How sad to hear a community talk about a church negatively. When you meet with your fellow church members, does it bring you joy? How heartbreaking it is when people feel unwanted or unneeded in their own church.
Breaking Down Barriers in Church
Do we judge others for their clothing, speech, or appearance? Do we notice when someone is different from us and still treat them with gentleness, forgiveness, and love? Do we take time for others? Are we easily offended? What can we actually do to build community in our church?
Fostering Fellowship: Small Acts Make Big Differences
Sometimes, church can feel a little like high school where the cool kids sat at one table and the outcast kids sat at another. Shouldn't we reach out when we have a new member and make sure everyone feels part of the group? What about the elderly or the sick who can't come anymore? Couldn't we take turns visiting that person? Or maybe we see a person who sits alone each Sunday. Couldn't we ask them to sit with us or our family? In a million small ways we can become closer, more loving and caring.
The Importance of Serving and Involving Others
Small things can make big differences. Respecting other people's opinions, even if we don't agree on how things should work, and not assuming that everyone just "knows" how something has always been done. Many times people want to help, they are just waiting to be asked. My mother was extremely shy, but in her later years, she was asked to teach Sunday School. Even though it was difficult, she did it. After her death, a class member told me what a blessing my mother had been to them.
Church is Community: Strengthening Connections in Faith
A community is a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. Church community is strengthening connections in faith with one another. More than that, church is family. It takes us all working together to become the effective body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:2). While it's true we can worship alone, Hebrews 10:25 tells us we shouldn't stop meeting with other believers because we need encouragement—we should build one another up in love and humility.
We are encouraged by sharing our experiences of God. We aren't all the same, thankfully. Some of us are outgoing, some are shy, some are loud and excitable, some calm and stoic. All of these traits can be used by God in a special way to strengthen the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:21-27).
Do some have a stronger faith than others? Jude 1:22 tells us to be merciful to the doubting. Encourage them, don't scold them. Gently remind them of their first love and the importance of standing firm in their faith. We all have doubts at times. Pray for them.
Jesus' Disciples: A Team With Purpose
The Lord had his own team—His disciples. Each one had a different personality, each one had different strengths and weaknesses. These, mostly uneducated men, would go on to shake the world and most would die for the Savior who died for them. They definitely had a purpose. They loved each other as they loved God. They established churches, witnessed, preached and taught. They weren't perfect men but they were changed men, transformed by the Holy Spirit, as are each one of us.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Loving One Another
Let's never forget who it is that lives in us. The Holy Spirit fills us with His power and might (Ephesians 3:16). It is He that can transform our churches into the mighty houses of Spirit-filled Christians that they should be. But first, let's commit to loving each other the best way we can.
References: John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10, Romans 12:16, Romans 14:13, Romans 15:7, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 5:19, Ephesians 5:21, Colossians 3:13, Colossians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24-25, James 4:11, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 4:9, 1 Peter 5:5, 1 Peter 5:14 and 1 John 1:7
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