One in Christ starts with one

This past weekend I was guest speaker at a church camp and very much enjoyed mixing with a different group of people, some of whom I knew a little and most not at all. Their theme for the weekend was ‘One in Christ’ and so I was able to exercise my mind as to what that particular focus might mean.

A film that really struck me a few years back was called ‘The Notebook.’ Without giving away too much of the story – because it is well worth watching – the plot revolves around a husbands struggle with his wife’s fall into Alzheimer’s Disease. At one point in the story the family are visiting at the nursing home and the struggle and frustration becomes too much for the children and grand children. They say to the father ‘Come on dad, let’s go home.’ The husband (played by James Garner) looks at his lifelong love and then turns to his family saying – ‘Allie is my home.’

When you are asked to talk to a large group of people on a specific subject, the temptation is to just use the shot gun technique and spray out a whole bunch of good corporate thoughts in the hope that some of it might strike home. I figure that’s okay if you’re selling Life Insurance or confectionery (no offence!); but strangely I do expect more from a Christian perspective.

How do you move a Christian cliché such as ‘One in Christ’ from a good idea to a real possibility? My first thrust was to suggest that for a congregation to seek a corporate reality it needs in the first instance a personal challenge and commitment. For US to be one in Christ requires each INDIVIDUAL to be one in Christ first. When my faith in Christ first came alive 24 years ago, the key point was the certainty of being one in Christ. It wasn’t just a good theological idea; but a personal reality. The resurrected Christ was not some doctrinal statement but a sure and certain hope.

I am dotty about my lovely wife so I know full well what it means for ‘Veronica to be my home;’ but I also am aware at a spiritual level that God is my home. It makes a great deal of difference to your life when this is true.

A great strength of our growing church here in the Rouse Hill / Kellyville district is the value placed on belonging deeply; firstly to each other and then prayerfully and hopefully to God. As best as I know how I have been building this value into all that we do. It is part of our DNA. ANZAC Day, Melbourne Cup, Trivia Night, Playgroup, Christmas Eve and our newest venture our own church camp this coming weekend all have this as a part of their makeup. The key feature of all of these events is the openness and sense of welcome that draws and holds people. When we talk about building communities of care and hope, the vision can only come into view as we increasingly risk being transparent and vulnerable to one another.

The down side to this is that in growing such a group of people the value of belonging can become a barrier to others. Many may prefer belonging to a church that you can choose to nibble at occasionally when the time allows or the need arises and hopefully we can cater to that; but a church committed to deep belonging can be hard to link into because a level of commitment grows that some may not be comfortable with. It has the potential and power to change the world but in making that change it has usually rattled a whole lot of cages along the way!

What's love got to do with it?

It had been quite a day. It kicked off with my checking on the health of one of our flock and then at Playgroup we rejoiced with the news of another pregnancy in our ranks, followed by a visit to another one of our sickies and unfortunately at the end of the day one of our special little girls, Olivia, had an emergency dash to hospital. Being part of a new and growing congregation can be something of a roller coaster ride at times.

I feel sad for people who struggle to get involved with a wider community of some kind. It stunts our growth when we tuck ourselves away in what may be perceived as a ‘safe place.’ It is such a blessing for me to see our community grow in trust and in care of one another. What a great blessing to have a whole bunch of people who really do care and will go more than ‘an extra mile’ to see you through safely.

‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.’

It seems to me that this remaining in the love of Jesus is closely connected to remaining within the gathered group. Jesus finished this teaching by saying, ‘This is my command – love each other.’ Too often when something goes wrong we retreat from this corporate love. It may only be one individual that has upset us; but the stunning thing is that often our response is to blame everyone! We withdraw completely from the gathered people; and something inside us dies!

The John 15 passage that I have referred to above is all about ‘abiding or remaining’ in the love of Jesus. In the early part of the chapter Jesus uses the vine as a description of the church. What an interesting picture! Those darned vine branches snake around all over the place! That person I was so miffed with the other week was waaay across the other side of the room a few minutes ago; so how did he finish up right next me?! That’s the way of a vine, twisting and turning this way and that. One minute heading north with great vigour and the next plunging south for no good reason at all! It’s a bit of a strange thing a vine; you never when or who you are going to cross paths with.

Another thing about a vine is that it’s kind of hard to stand out in the thing. The branches are never particularly good looking – more serviceable than attractive – and just as you get into a good position to strut your stuff some new little twig just crosses your path! No consideration for seniority, wisdom or talent at all.

‘Love each other.’ No matter what, love each other. That is the difference between the love that defines the world and that which should define the church and the Christ follower. My marriage sermons are never all that popular really; because I challenge people to seek a love different to what the world offers. The standard model of love is one of give and take and when you don’t get your just desserts; well you bale! I don’t think that the Bible knows much about ‘just desserts.’ Except perhaps for the fact that if we did all get the desserts that we deserved chances are there wouldn’t be much bragging going on.

Last Sunday morning our congregation made a very brave and exciting decision to push forward with the idea of establishing ourselves in a ministry centre of our own in Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill in the first half of 2008. This will take a lot of hard work in coming months and while we will need loads of wisdom, energy, faith and strength; what we will need most of all is love among every one of us.

‘Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm;
for love is
as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like
blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers
cannot wash it away.’
Song of Songs 8:6&7

In the weeks, months and years ahead I want to develop a team of unquenchable love. We will be each others best supporters club. We will be a source of encouragement, strength and hope for each other. People will look at those who call NorthWest Uniting their home and be amazed at our love!

Care to join the dream?