Community Killers
Recently in my weekly emails, I have been focusing on the “one another” statements of scripture. These statements teach us how to experience true Christian community. Some of them also warn us against the things that can hinder Christian community. This week I want to focus on three “community killers” that might be hindering our growth as a church family.
Community Killer #1: Inconsistency
In Hebrews 10:25, we are told to “not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” I have always appreciated that Paul uses the term neglect here. We know how neglect works; it begins with a one-time exception, that turns into a bad habit, that leads to a pattern of neglect. I know that is how it works with the weeds in my landscaping. How much more does it work that way in community? Simply put, we cannot maintain healthy relationships with one another when we are not with one another.
Community Killer #2: Nasty Words
Sometimes we forget the power of words. God is clear that they matter. James commands us, “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.” (James 4:11 ESV) He also warns us, “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” (James 5:9 ESV)
When we speak negatively about one another it harms the other person, and whether we accept it or not, it harms those we speak to, and even ourselves. We all intuitively know that if someone gossips negatively to us about someone, there is nothing stopping them from doing the same thing to us when we are not there. It is a vicious, nasty cycle and it can have a lethal effect on a healthy community. As it is stated in Romans, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” (Romans 14:13 ESV) We do not want to trip up our brothers and sisters in Christ with our words.
Community Killer #3: Forgetting That it is Not About Us
When we talk about “burden-bearing fellowship” at Hope, we mean that we need to be willing to help carry the burdens of others. Jesus showed His disciples that we have to remember that it is not about us. He said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.” (John 13:14 ESV) We have to care more about their needs than our own.
When we forget and make it all about us, we find ourselves falling into what Paul warns us against: “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:26a ESV) At first glance, we cannot imagine that envy or conceit would ever be a part of community, but I have seen those things destroy many different types of fellowship. We must all strive to set aside our preferences for the good of others, as Paul said, “...that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” (1 Corinthians 12:25 ESV)
Without a doubt, there are other “community killers", but remembering these three can go a long way to helping us maintain unity in our Hope Church community.
Expectantly,
Shawn
P.S. We have a short-term need for an additional person to serve as part of our facilities team. Do you like to clean? Do you like working flexible hours? Please contact me at team@hopebrunswick.org for more information!
