Becoming the Church Jesus really wants
In the famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of his followers being like salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). These well-known analogies represent two different ways in which we can be a positive influence in the world around us. Salt produces flavour in food as a result of being in contact with it. It speaks of touching the world through close involvement. On the other hand, when a lamp lights up a room it is separate from the objects on which the light shines. This speaks of us demonstrating God’s goodness to those around us by being examples in the way we lead our lives, both as individuals and in the church.
The development of Southampton Christian Network (SCN) and the other regional Churches Together organisations is an important step in helping us to be salt and light more effectively. In terms of being salt, there are already over 100 Christian-based community projects in Southampton touching many different aspects of life in the city1. Coming together as SCN and the Churches Together groups will help us to think of them as Southampton church projects rather than only being associated with the local church that started them off. Let’s join together in supporting each other’s projects both in prayer and in involvement.
Coming together will also help us to be light to the world. We can have a big impact by the example of loving one another in the church (John 13:35). Jesus was very keen for his disciples to get on well together. He taught them a lot on loving each other (John 15:17) and prayed fervently that they would be one together with a unity like that between himself and the Father (John 17:20-23). The disciples clearly took this teaching on board and love between believers became a strong characteristic of the early church (1 John 3:11-20).
Over the years, the church has often failed to display this kind of love between its members. Doctrinal issues and personal differences have been the source of significant divisions within the church. Sad though this has been, it is important to remember that some of the resulting divisions have eventually had a positive effect on the church in restoring aspects of scriptural church life that had previously been lost. As we enter the 21st century, there seems to be a new sense of unity of spirit among Christians across the different denominations. This is witnessed by the emergence of groups such as SCN. We are also much closer to a unity of faith both in the way we interpret the teaching of the Bible and the way we practice church life. I believe that there has never been a time since the days of the early church when we have had a better opportunity to move towards a genuine unity than we have now.
How can we help to promote unity in the church? The first thing is to capture a vision for it. If we are convinced that this is where God is taking us, we will be keen to work towards it. We are all seeking to grow in our individual lives as Christians. Let’s have that same desire to grow as God’s people towards the unity that he so much desires.
Secondly let’s acknowledge one another. God himself likes us to acknowledge his influence on our lives (Prov 3:6). Let’s acknowledge and honour the work that he is doing in other churches in our areas. Let’s pray for his blessing on them. Juan Carlos Ortiz, a South American church leader and author had a vision in which Jesus was hungry for mashed potato! He saw us in our separate churches as individual lumps of potato but Jesus wanted mashed potato where all the lumps were mashed and mixed up together. An amusing analogy perhaps, but I believe it reflects God’s heart that we should share life more with one another.
Also let’s support the events put on by SCN and the Churches Together organisations. At the inaugural meeting of SCN at Highfield Church in January 2007 we heard how God had moved in Stoke-on-Trent when his people from many different churches had joined together to pray. It would be great to see similar things happening in Southampton.
What will be the benefits of these developments? First and foremost, becoming more like the unified church that Jesus wants will really please him. Rick Warren speaks of the smile of God as being the goal of our life2. Coming together as his people in unity will certainly make him smile. It will also enable him to pour out his blessing on us in abundance. Psalm 133 relates a full measure of blessing to brothers walking together in unity. God has already blessed us as Christians despite our divisions. How much more will he bless us as we grow together? Finally, it will help in our witness. How often non- Christians challenged with the gospel suggest that the lack of unity among Christians invalidates its message. Let’s rather demonstrate the truth of the message through the example of our love for one another. An exciting future beckons us as we open ourselves up to be joined with one another more closely.
References
- Saints of a Different League: a report on church-based community activity in Southampton, 2006, The Shaftesbury Society, UK
- Warren R, The Purpose Driven Life – What on earth am I here for? Zondervan Grand Rapids Michigan, 2002