The Body of Christ

I’d be lost without my church community.  Even from a young age, the local body of believers our family was committed to became like an extended family.  They cared for us in extraordinary ways when I was growing up…even doing things like bringing home siblings that were accidentally left at church.

Yep.

I was about ten or so and we had just returned home from church on a Sunday.  The family retreated to their various spaces for afternoon “rest.”  And I put that in quotes because do kids actually “rest” once they grow out of nap time?    I did not.  Mine do not.

In fact, the only time our kids want to be near us is when we declare on a Sunday afternoon that “we are going to our room to take a nap.”

Apparently our children hear this when we make such declarations:  “We are going to our room and would like each of you to come in…several different times…to let us know about your dreams, your woes, your scrapes and bruises, your plans for the evening, and we would like you to tell us about your precious devices that are sometimes under attack from an unknown source because they will NOT LOAD FAST ENOUGH.  Please children, come, seven times each, so that we may never rest.”

Apparently this is what they hear.

As a kid, I didn’t rest on Sunday afternoons either, which is probably the reason I was the first to answer the door on this particular Sunday.  A good friend from church stood on our front porch, and after we exchanged quick pleasantries, she asked me to get dad.

Dad came to the door already changed into more comfortable clothes, and our friend asked him:

“Rodney, did you forget something at church?”  

“I don’t think so?”

“Think hard, Rodney.  There’s something you left at church.  Something rather important.”  

“Ah, I left my Bible at church.  Shoot.”

“Nope, Rodney.  Something else with some significance.”  

It was about that moment that my little sister waved her hand out the car door:  “Hi dad!  You forgot me!”   Bekah, the youngest of the three of us (there were only three, dad) had been left at church.

The big sister in me feels the need to contribute toward the little sister’s counseling needs.  Because let’s just face it, little sister:  YOUR FAMILY FORGOT YOU AND DID NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE YOU WERE MISSING.

The big sister in me is also laughing a little bit right now.  Because let’s also face it:   that moment was kind of hilarious.

I thank the Lord for the church family we had growing up – those who sat in the pew with us when both parents were occupied during Sunday services, those who walked alongside our parents during dark times, and others who stepped in as fathers when our dad passed away.  And, of course, there’s gratitude for the ones willing to return home lost children.  I thank the Lord for them as well.

I attended a worship workshop with singer, songwriter Sandra McCracken last week.  In reflecting on the church body she has been called to serve, she said, “Sometimes I look around me and think, ‘Wow.   I really love these people!'”  

Yes, it’s funny how that happens – how you come to the point of realizing that you really love that person you worship with on a Sunday morning, how you realize that the Sunday School teacher who has invested in your child has found a special place in your heart, and how you connect with another by going to the cross on their behalf.    Growing into a local church can be a beautiful process.  And like any important relationship, the growing process takes some work and a lot of grace, but there’s something extraordinary about the gift of a church community.

It can certainly be easier to stand to the side, to be a peripheral congregant, because growing into it requires giving of our time and our energy.  These are not always easy things to give (especially when we feel like we’re running on fumes at the end of the day). And in a culture where we’re accustomed to burying our face in a device while staying “connected” through social media, the idea of physical and emotional giving can be daunting.

But, oh, how sweet it is to contribute to a congregation and receive in turn blessing upon blessing from this God-given community.  And the benefits of our contributions far outweigh the sacrifice.  In giving into a church body, we receive an extended family, ones with whom we grow to love in spite of our differences, and we are given the opportunity to join hands in one, unifying purpose:  the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What a beautiful picture.  

But how do we go about stepping away from the margins and growing into a church community?

Consider and Care

Hebrews 10:24-25 says: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Verse 24 begins by telling us to “consider.”  What are we considering?  Not what we can get out of a group of people.  Not what the church can do for us.  Instead, we should consider where we can show practical love and concern for others within the church body.

In short, we’re called to care for one another and encourage others to do the same.

There’s a reason this verse starts with this word, consider.  The needs in a congregation aren’t always obvious, and the ways we should care for one another aren’t necessarily apparent.  So we consider.  We ask the Lord to show us the ways we can show our care and concern for those in our church body.

And don’t let the insecurity of not caring perfectly keep you from engaging.  This side of heaven, there’s no such thing as doing it perfectly.  There may be awkward moments and perhaps the “ohh, I shouldn’t have said it like that” thought, but these can’t be excuses to stop considering and caring.  They’re merely reminders that we are mortal, imperfect beings.

And let me assure you, just because I’m a pastor’s wife doesn’t mean I haven’t had my fair share of awkward moments in trying to love on a person the Lord has put on my heart.    My friends, here are a mere handful of examples of my sincere but imperfect caring:

Several years back, I had been involved in a small prayer group with a handful of ladies.  During one of our prayer times, I suddenly and strangely forgot the name 0f the woman I was praying out-loud for.  So instead of simply admitting that I momentarily forgot her name, I referred to the person in the circle as “the woman in this circle.”  Lord, please help the woman in this circle who has just told us she’s just not feeling well.  

Oh, for the love of the “woman in the circle.”  I still cringe about that one.

And lest you’re concerned that your care won’t be accepted without eloquent words,  allow me to share another fun moment during a prayer time:  On this particular occasion,  I began praying for the healing of one women’s spouse.  The problem is that I momentarily forgot that the woman’s spouse had already passed away.  And I also momentarily forgot that MY HUSBAND DID THE FUNERAL.  

So that was awesome.

And if you think that perhaps by avoiding prayer time these kind of awkward moments can be bypassed,  let me share with you the time I decided to reach out to a woman who had gone through a minor bladder surgery earlier in the week.  The Lord put her on my heart even though at the time I had no idea the specifics of the surgery.  And so without knowing the details,  I wrongly assumed that the “accident” she informed me she had after the surgery was a car accident.  And so this was my response when she told me of this unfortunate “accident” post surgery:

“Oh, I’ve had several accidents. I know it’s difficult, but you’re not alone!  I’m just glad you’re alright (and I’m secretly glad to know I’m not the only who’s had a few around here).”

Yes, folks.  For a long time this dear lady thought we shared in common the practice of wetting ourselves.

I’m just here to make you feel better about yourself.

But here’s the thing.  In the midst of the trials represented in our local churches- no matter how large or small –  we are called to consider how we can show love to one another.  And this sincere love is expressed by our good works – our prayers, our words, and our actions – no matter how imperfect they may be. The Lord will use the sincerity of heart for His glory in the lives of His children.   Your brothers and sisters aren’t touched by your perfect service, they’re comforted by your heart and the ways in which you point them to Jesus.  The woman whose deceased husband I prayed for still writes regularly, expressing her love for our immediate and extended family.  And the other dear lady who believed I was “accident” prone,  still embraces me with a smile when I see her.

I watched my parents pour into their congregation for years and years, caring and loving this group with everything in them.  And as the Lord intended it to be, when they needed care, it was provided beyond comprehension.

In the middle of my mom’s struggle with a rare and debilitating brain disease, she did her best to make it to church each Sunday.  On one particular week, I watched as she stood up and slowly and deliberately walked over to a friend on the other side of the sanctuary.   It wasn’t easy for her to walk, but she made it over to this long-time friend.   I saw them lean into each other and later this precious friend told me that mom turned in toward her and whispered two simple words, “I’m scared.”

The picture of their embrace, their tears, and the refuge found in tender arms is one that represents to me the beauty of considering and caring.  Their friendship began within the walls of the church, flourished as they worshipped along side each other, and did not waver when death was imminent for my mom.

Step away from the margin and grow into your community.  Give and receive.  Consider and care, child of God.

Worship Together 

And how can we stay motivated in our care for one another?  The passage makes it pretty clear:  by meeting together.  By worshipping together, fellowshipping together, and encouraging each other, our hearts grow in love for each other.

The teaching of God’s Word is central to our worship.  We receive the instruction and accountability necessary to stand firm in the truths of Scripture and flourish spiritually when we sit under the teaching of His Word and study it together.

Over and over again, I’m faced with the depth of my sin in considering the lack of hunger for His Word.  Unfortunately, there are other things that seem to take precedence:  my work, my three busy kiddos, even my own “down-time” can become more important.   And during the preaching of the Word on Sunday, I get hungry.  That’s not really the problem.  The problem is that I allow myself to slip away into what’s going to happen for lunch that day.  And I may even allow a little thought about dinner.    I’m good at concentrating on my food options for the day.

Several months back, my youngest left this note on the chair after the worship service:

Let me interpret:

I was eating my cheeseburger.  I could taste the cheese chicken and bread.  It was time for class.  Bob tripped me, so I punched Bob and the teacher sent me to the principal.  I tried to tell her what happened.  

So that’s what my eight-year old took from the preaching of God’s Word on this particular Sunday.

For the love of Bob.  Parenting is one of the most sanctifying experiences…ever.

But my own sinful distractions don’t always look that different.  My “to-do” list becomes more important than time in God’s Word or a difficult conversation with someone consumes me and I can’t even hear what is being preached.  It’s just not that different from daydreaming about punching Bob.

Thankfully the Lord doesn’t require perfect worship.  That won’t happen until the day our hearts are fully and perfectly restored.  And so until then, our meeting together as mutual sinners with daily struggles is a sweet fragrance to the Lord when we ask Him to keep the distractions at bay, when we open our empty hands to His mercy and grace, and when we gladly soak up the blessing of His Words giving praise together for the work He has done.  Experiencing this intimacy with the Lord alongside a group of believers strengthens relationships, stimulates friendships, and encourages our hearts.

Step away from the margin and grow into your community.  Worship together, children of God.  

A couple of weeks ago, I stood in a circle and took communion with my church family.  There is very little that strengthens a bond between two people than to turn to the person next to you, perhaps someone you don’t know very well, and say, “This is the body of Christ broken for you.”  With all of our differences and quirks, even with our awkward moments  and “missed” conversations, that bond becomes a strong fortress when we come together as one body under the headship of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As you grow into your church community through your care of one another and your worship with each other, take a moment and look around at the family you’ve been given.  You just might realize the love you have for these people.

And how lost you’d be without them.