Grow Together

We picked a theme for our church this year we’re calling Grow Again. Whether it’s growing as human beings, or as a church, growth is a team sport. Authentic relationships are a key ingredient.

I don't think it's a mistake that God established the church at a time when we did not have the Internet, telephones, or any other form of "telecommunication." The best the first century church could do with non-face-to-face connections, while still attempting to convey their true feelings, was sending letters. It was obvious that Paul preferred connecting with other members of Christ's family in person. For example, he said to the believers in Rome:

“…I have had for many years a longing to come to you whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while…” (Romans 15:23–24).

Paul says similar things to the Corinthians and other churches. He had a longing to be with them. For Paul, it was not just about the mechanics of dispensing doctrine to growing believers. Yes, he put a high value on the power of God's Word. But, he also recognized that God's Word puts a high value on relationship. That did not simply mean a brief time to shake hands during a church service “greeting time”. Relationship meant the intentional sharing of his personhood with other Christians. For him, it was about true connection with the family of God.

Despite telecommunications and the worldwide web, we are an increasingly disconnected culture. For many, church has become a place where people sit side-by-side but totally disconnected. For them, it is no different than attending a movie, or a play. Increasingly, it is becoming more comfortable not to truly be with other believers.

Jesus clearly meant for us to be in relationship with one another, and with Him. He instituted the church as a place for such relationships. He may have left physically, but He didn't leave us, or forsake us. And he didn't choose to communicate by email, or texting. He did write to us, but He also sent the Holy Spirit to be with us; “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever” (John 14:16).

God has designed human beings to be connected. Even apart from the spiritual aspect, the healthy development of a child is dependent upon connection with her parents and other loved ones. This cannot happen via FaceTime, email, social media, or the most heartfelt, handwritten and delivered letters.

Ironically, many believers equate spiritual maturity with sitting in services and Bible studies, being taught the Word, combined with spending consistent time "alone with God." Ample Bible study, a robust quiet time and a place of service often pass for proof of maturity as a believer. We should all do those things, they are important! But, they’re not enough. What's missing is the intentionality of relationship. Without that, spiritual maturity doesn’t fully happen.

Author and pastor, Jim Putman, in his book, Real Life Discipleship, writes about those who miss the point of Scripture. Putman points out that it was Jesus Who accused the Bible scholars of His day of knowing the Scriptures in detail, but not knowing that, as Putman puts it, "The Scriptures are all about Him: they are all about relationship." He goes on to say,

"When people claim to be mature believers but are without a spiritual family (a church) and
purposely abstain from relationships with mature believers, they are spiritual infants.”
          Putman, Jim. Real-life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples, loc. 1483, Kindle.

Obviously, the goal for any infant is to move toward maturity. For the believer, spiritual maturity means attaining spiritual parenthood—moving other believers toward maturity in Christ.

If that is not part of your Christian experience, ask yourself, “Why?” Perhaps you don't want to let others into your private world. Are you hiding something? If so, that may be the very issue you need to share with another believer. Then, let authentic relationships begin.

“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”
                                                                                                                                                    —ROMANS 14:19