On Sunday, September 12, we kicked off our fall programming with a concert and the first group meeting of the elder care teams. That evening was a great example of how important it is for the family of God to encourage each other. Several people in our group mentioned how good it is when their brothers and sisters in Christ call on them when they miss just one Sunday or when someone visits them when they’re sick. One person called us to accountability about praying for each other and especially for the elders, who guide and protect this body of believers.
This is the way the church is supposed to be. This is one important characteristic of the church that sets it apart from all other groups and organizations: the church family encourages each other. In Romans 1:11, 12, the apostle Paul writes: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” While this is a simple statement of Paul’s love for the church in Rome, it speaks volumes about how the church ought to feel and act toward each other.
Think about your friends at church. Do you long to see them? Sure, we’re usually separated from each other from one Sunday to the next. But does that separation from your brothers and sisters in Christ bring just a little heartache? Does that longing encourage you to come to church as often as you can? Does it encourage you to form or join other groups, whether study, fellowship, or service groups?
The idea that the church is family isn’t merely a “nice” idea; it’s a matter of mutual encouragement and growth. Paul didn’t long to see the Roman church just because they made him feel good; he wanted to see them so that he could encourage them and so they could encourage him, with the ultimate goal that everyone’s faith would grow. Let us continue to encourage each other so that we can grow together in our faith.