Our Second Priority as a Church

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:35b-40 NIV

This week we look at our second priority which is our natural response to our relationship with God – We love others.

When the church gets it right, we become the extension of God in the community of faith. Remember that the most visible part of the church today is our worship service and the people in it.

So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6:10 The Message

I enjoy watching people. Doesn’t matter where - airports, malls, restaurants, really anywhere people go to gather. I am fascinated by there actions and antics. Watching people reconnect with an old friend or just sitting quietly by themselves is an interesting study in human behavior. As humans, however, there is something that largely drives us to places that we are comfortable - places where we know our surroundings. Places where people know are name. I am always reminded of the T.V. show Cheers, the place where everyone knows your name. “Hey Norm!”

The reality is that there are places like that everywhere and people are drawn to them. If you watch, there are places where people go because people know them and seemingly care about them. The local diner, the IGA even the local Wal-Mart, the post office, the bank, the local bar, the golf club, a favorite restaurant, the school, the park, etc.

These are all places where regulars gather to see and be seen, to listen and to be heard. My question, and my problem, is – Why isn't the church one of those places?

At the conclusion of World War II, a group of United States missionaries that had been evacuated from Japan returned to Japan. They returned with a great deal of anxiety not sure how they would be received after the war. What was waiting for them as the boat docked was a group of Christians to welcome the missionaries with shouts of joy and open arms of love. There is a human part of me that questions, how could they do that? The reality is the world should always be looking at the church and saying, “How did they do that?” with a sense of wonder and awe.

We, the church, must move beyond being an organization and become a living organism. We have to be more than flow charts and committees, programs and schedules, members and visitors. We are a living people, make that a living church, that serves a living God.

In moving beyond an organization, do not be mistaken, there is still a need for church membership for that sense of belonging, attachment, accountability, and commitment. That is part of the design of the church as an organism. We all have a role to play in the life of the church. The church suffers when just one person does not play out their role. We all belong to many places. How many membership cards do you carry with you on any given day? Kroger cards, insurance cards, Bank/Credit cards, reward cards, etc.

So let me ask, what in your life says you belong to this church? to God? The answer is that as a church member, as a follower of Christ, your life is your membership card.

The world will not be impressed by a church building although the church has built many an impressive one. The world will not be impressed by the busy-ness of our buildings and we are good at programming countless activities. However, the world will be impressed by the unity and the love expressed by its members to one another. That is truly what the world seeks - Acceptance and Belonging.

We must have a unity of spirit. This unity of spirit will flow from a united experienced in worship, but it will not come because of words or creeds or mission statements or name tags or coffee or greeters or ushers or friendly slogans or visitor cards or welcoming gifts, nor will it come by solely being together in worship and fellowship on Sunday morning.

Our unity will not be because of a common building, a single Sunday worship service, a shared name, a shared address, or a shared moment of time. Our unity comes from our relationship with Christ. Our unity comes from our source of life – Jesus Christ – our first priority. Our unity exists in our common faith, if we will only choose to act on it. Our unity is our choice.

So where do we start?

“let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”

Beyond the church on Sunday morning there is a need for a relationship with others. Meeting with small groups outside of worship is important to the life of the church and the life of the members. These small groups are a part of our heritage as Methodists.

As you come to worship and to find encouragement and acceptance, to find friendship and to be held accountable, to have a place where you belong, I must tell you that it is not easy to accomplish all those things in this large group. Trust is built in small groups.

Can you make the commitment to a small group?

To be encouraged
To be held accountable
To love one another
To be cared for

When the first priority is kept, we cannot help but love one another.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love
one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV

And when we love and care for one another, others will come because you care and because your priorities are on display for all to see.