I've been thinking a lot, the last few days, about Christian community. Considering Tenth Avenue North's song "No Man is an Island" - as Christians we're called to live in community! We're called as believers to build one another up, to support one another in prayer, to encourage one another in living Christ-like lives!
The second chapter of Acts paints a picture of what this Christian community should be. Living among each other, loving each other.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders
and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to
meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and
sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their numbers daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2: 42-47)
I miss it, having that in my life! I long for it to return! I long for a peer group of faith, a community of support for prayer, for encouragement, for study. I want a community in which I can share my life, can live my life alongside other Christians - more specifically, Christians my age.
It saddens me that I don't...can't get that in my current church. And as I seek employment in other churches, it's obviously a major factor as I consider areas for ministry. I can give of myself in ministry, sure, but what good is my giving if I'm not getting filled in other ways? Am I expected to give until I'm emptied?
I want to be able to share my life with others who are living similar life experiences. I want to be able give of myself in Christian love to others. But I also long for the support and encouragement to make it through my own life struggles.
My deepest desire, in this moment, is to experience that in my life. To rekindle the joy of living with others, of laughing with others, of crying with others.
The second chapter of Acts paints a picture of what this Christian community should be. Living among each other, loving each other.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders
and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to
meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and
sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their numbers daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2: 42-47)
I miss it, having that in my life! I long for it to return! I long for a peer group of faith, a community of support for prayer, for encouragement, for study. I want a community in which I can share my life, can live my life alongside other Christians - more specifically, Christians my age.
It saddens me that I don't...can't get that in my current church. And as I seek employment in other churches, it's obviously a major factor as I consider areas for ministry. I can give of myself in ministry, sure, but what good is my giving if I'm not getting filled in other ways? Am I expected to give until I'm emptied?
I want to be able to share my life with others who are living similar life experiences. I want to be able give of myself in Christian love to others. But I also long for the support and encouragement to make it through my own life struggles.
My deepest desire, in this moment, is to experience that in my life. To rekindle the joy of living with others, of laughing with others, of crying with others.