Have you ever been the new girl somewhere? I’m not talking like in college where you are in a huge mix of others who are also new. I’m talking about when you walk into an established group with their preexisting friendships, history, and way of doing things. This can be very intimidating. Have you ever been a part of the group receiving new people? That can be awkward too. Will they like me and want to come back to our group? Who am I to go introduce myself to them like I’m someone special to know? How will they change our group dynamics?
All Chrstians have been given the ministry of reconciliation (restoring relationships) and are called to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20). Discipleship is also a lifelong process of spiritual formation that happens within a group of fellow Christians. Paul’s letters to early church congregations are addressed to the whole church and are filled with exhortations and instructions of how to disciple believers in Christ: Titus 2:2-8 (older discipling younger), Colossians 1:28 (teach everyone with wisdom), and Ephesians 2:19-22 (built together into a holy sanctuary), to name a few. The ultimate goal of spiritual formation is to grow into our new identity as co-heirs (Romans 8:15-17) and be transformed evermore into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The spiritual discipline of community helps us abide in Christ so that we may become more like him and fulfill his commission to make disciples. As we feel more secure in our relationships within the church, we gain courage to embrace those who are entering into faith and our church. When our bonds are strong, they can withstand the expansion of our circles and the changes that inevitably come with that. Our experiences in relationships within the church helps us experience God in tangible ways in our life. In turn, we are more equipped to display the love of God to those inside and outside of the walls of our church.
The community within the church forms the secure base from which we launch into our workplace, extended families, and other friend circles to minister to others and tell them the good news of reconciliation with God through Jesus. Staying connected to our church community that offers encouragement, help, and a safe place to land gives us the relational security needed to step out into even uncomfortable places of ministry.
The security offered within our church walls to one another is a tangible display of God’s love for us through one another. That love offers believers a secure base from which to minister to the world and a safe haven to find security in every week. We cannot neglect relationships with our fellow believers if we want to fulfill the mission of the Great Commission. Those relationships fuel us to do the work of reconciliation Christ has given us.
Meet the Author!
Phoebe is a therapist in private practice at Bethany Counseling Center, mom to Vivi, Charlie, and Harris and wife to Jeff. She speaks and writes on the integration of faith and mental health as essential to living in our identity in Christ. She enjoys nonfiction books, Disney movies, and, like any good millennial, is a coffee and pen snob.
This blog is meant to further the conversation about mental health and is not intended as medical or professional advice.
