The true Church is not about organizations or institutions. It’s not about the formalities or the traditions.
What is it about? two things: Relationship and relationships. First and foremost is our relationship with God and then the one that we often place far too little importance on; our relationship with each other.
We need to be careful not to make church impersonal. Often it isn’t built around relationships, it’s built around programs. The church growth era really was destructive in this sense. We view everyone as part of a group (baby boomers, etc.) and not as an individual. The church is not a building, an organization, or an institution. The church is about relationships. It’s about the individual people.
As a church, we can give opportunities for real relationships, but ultimately, you can’t program it.
We see these amazing relationships in scripture
Philippians 2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. KJV
As a son with his father. That is how discipleship works most effectively. These were not detached relationships folks. They didn’t just work together as pastor and associate from 9 to 5. Nowadays people can work together in a church for years and then split up and not even write. Where’s the covenant in that? Many of you are at the place where you can take people under your wing and encourage them.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. KJV
He called it a “new commandment” that means it is really important to Him. |
