Community begins with only two or three. When a couple meets with me about getting married, we talk about the two of them becoming one, but also that they—just two—become a family, a family because God is the third Person involved in that relationship. That is the most important reason that one might choose to be married with Christ’s Church involved. It is no longer a ceremony, but an experience of worship. God is to be recognized in all that we do in a wedding.
Jesus usually did ministry in the plural. True, He often “…went up on a mountainside by himself to pray…he was there alone…” (Mathew 14:23) Many times, after a big event, gathering, etc., He would need to recharge His batteries in prayer. This is best done alone (see Matthew 6:5-8). But other than that, Jesus always talked in terms of the plural. When He sent His disciples out to share the faith, He sent them in pairs (Mark 6:7).
It’s true, Jesus’ cousin, John, experienced much of his inspiration by being alone (in the wilderness), but his best work came when he preached to the crowds about repentance and focus on the coming Messiah.
However, this is the very reason pastors encourage parishioners to come to Sunday worship and other opportunities of service to the community. It’s not because we like to make good reports to the synod and the ELCA that we have grown numerically, (although it’s wonderful when that does happen), but rather it is because of the foundational belief that the Church functions best when we gather in community (more than one). There is something unifying about joining together with brothers and sisters for praise and for work that can make this earthly life very satisfying!
Nathaniel and Matthew—to me they stand out more than other disciples in their call to serve—were, in different ways, alone in their lives when God came calling. Nathaniel was alone under a fig tree pondering his next lecture for his students; Matthew, although possibly surrounded by hired workers to help gather taxes from the people, he was alone in the way that he was very disliked for his work. No one wanted to associate with him because he cheated people out of their money. Christ came calling, calling them to community—to cooperate, cohabitate in mission with Him, and with others.
God is calling you to community. There’s a number of ways to do that: Worship; service through one of our many ministries through our congregation; volunteering with local ministries; specifically – bringing food for our food pantry this Sunday (September 7) in our “Get Your Cans To Church!” emphasis, or, registering for the team of “Slim’s Hikers” through the Northeast Tennessee ALS Association walk that takes place in October. (“Slim” is our own Gary Shealy who recently was diagnosed with ALS. He, at one time, walked the Appalachian Trail and did a good portion of the Pacific Rim hike).
Consider how you are or could be more so a part of Christ’s community. Pray about it. God’s Holy Spirit will show you (and me) the way! Remember…
God loves you and so do we!
Pastor Jim