The Bible is clear that what brings us together isn’t things and it isn’t programs and it isn’t activities. What unites us is the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:17) and what holds us together is love (John 14:34-35). We are not supposed to make a habit of skipping out on our times of meeting with other believers, but we are supposed to be encouraging on another all the more (Heb. 10:25). We (ministers explicitly) are also encouraged to ensure our homes are in order before taking care of the church and to love, honor, respect, and obey within our families (I Tim. 3:5).
It sounds to me like “church” looks less like meeting on Sunday and more like being in relationship with one another in and outside of a building and all week long, not just on Sunday. It also looks like we are committed to one another in love and service so we strive to be together and not make a habit of letting things come between us, even good things and fun things and “family” things.
Ultimately I think it means we adopt of philosophy of “church” that is less about “ME” and more about “WE” – that we view the decisions we make not out of a cost-benefit analysis about what works best for us, but rather from a Kingdom mindset of what is best for Him. Sometimes, this may mean you take your family on vacation. Sometimes, it may mean you skip a game. Sometimes it may mean that you meet outside of a building or on a different night. Sometimes it may mean you cancel a program.
But IF it is about the kingdom of God and not about what works best with our schedules or our plans, it will bear fruit. It will grow God’s kingdom in our families, our churches and our communities.
It won’t send a message that “church” is a choice that we can take or leave but that “church” is a life we choose to live in relationship with others. And it won’t send a message that family is somehow less spiritual or less important but that family is an extension of the church in the broader community and in the home.
It’s not supposed to be a competition. And whether we’ve made it that or the pace of modern world has made it that, I think it’s up to us, each and every one, to step back and see if we’ve adopted that mindset in any way. Families, are you being the church in loving relationships, committed to the “WE” of God’s kingdom in the choices you make? Ministers, are you supporting the family in partnering relationship, committed to the “WE” of God’s kingdom in the ministry you serve?
It can’t be about one or the other. It has to be about ONE and no other.
“Be very careful then how you live – not as unwise, but as wise…understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph 5:15, 17)
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
