The Community of Believers

“The church has the opportunity to reach and assimilate vast numbers of hurting and lonely people if we truly become the family we are called to be,” wrote Ken Hemphill in The Antioch Effect.

Hemphill went on to warn, “But the world is not going to be impressed by our rhetoric on family; they must see the love of God modeled in an authentic, deeply loving, committed community of Believers.”

In the beginning, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” So, He created the family. In the same way, He formed the spiritual family for us to be a part of. Paul Tournier is credited with saying, “There are two things you can’t do alone. One is to be married and the other is to be a Christian.” I suppose there are a few others, but Tournier’s point is valid.

Too often people opine, “I can be a good Christian and not go to church.” Really? Where does the Bible even remotely suggest such a notion?

The book of Acts records that New Testament Christians assembled together, not only for Lord’s Day worship but on other occasions as well. They modeled the “one another” commands we would later read in the epistles that speak to a loving, serving, and sharing community of Believers.

In a culture often characterized by loneliness, isolation, and alienation, the church offers a wonderful respite from the weariness of the world. From feelings of being disenfranchised. From rejection. And from worthlessness.

The church is the redeemed of God. His adopted children. Those who have been called into a special, unique spiritual fellowship with Him. A community unlike any other in the world. It is a relationship we should treasure. Nurture. And protect.

Don’t neglect the church family. Assemble together. Pray together. Worship together. Share life together. Find your place and your purpose in the community of Believers.

Indeed, we’re not just called to believe, but to belong.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman