I just got back to my office after having lunch with a fellow-preacher who lives on the other side of our county. What a blessing. We talked and laughed and shared our experiences with each other. We remembered with great fondness some people and places that have been a part of our common experience. We prayed together. It was wonderful. Though my friend and I have known each other for almost eight years and have often visited with one another in different venues we both remarked that this was the first time we had enjoyed such a sit down, heart to heart visit. As we left we both commented on how long overdue it had been and resolved to meet again soon. The longer I live I am reminded that Christianity is about relationships and the "tie that binds." This includes our relationship with God and our relationships with others. John wrote of the link between the two in 1 Jn. 4:11-12 - "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." Just a few verses later he adds, "If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 Jn. 4:20-21).
I read with interest an article in the recent Christian Chronicle on why people leave churches. One of the reasons is that of "superficial relationships." Being the pulpit minister of a large church I know first hand what a challenge this can be. With so many people under one roof the number is sometimes intimidating. It's easy for people to become lost in the crowd. This is why a large church must develop some type of small group ministry - whether it's through Bible Classes, various activities, fellowship groups, etc... in which people can make friends and build relationships.
I am thankful for the lunch I shared with my preacher friend David. I learned some great lessons - one of which was "we share our mutual woes. Our mutual burdens bear. And often for each other flows, the sympathizing tear." Amazingly Biblical, isn't it - Gal. 6:1-2?
That's The Way I See It!
