It Takes A Community

            The phrase “It Takes A Village” was popularized by Hillary Clinton during her husband’s presidency as she identified the importance of communal participation in raising and nurturing children towards their full potential.

            I think the same principle applies in the church, as we think of the church as that community that shapes us into maturing, growing, disciples of Jesus. I am convinced that is what the church is to be; a family, a body, a community, a village, (whatever image you want to use) whose purpose it is to shape those who are a part of it into mature disciples. Jesus’ commission to the church was, and is, to make disciples.

            There are two ways of understanding that word make, or perhaps two aspects of making that we are to be about. First of all is the idea of creating, or calling new disciples. We could describe this aspect as “making” more disciples. The second idea is that of bringing to maturity the disciples that are among us, whether new followers, children, or adults needing growth. This aspect could be described as “making” better disciples. So the two parts of the making disciples task are more disciples and better disciples.

            This, in a nutshell, describes my vision our congregation. There is much more that can, and will be said about it in the coming weeks and months as together we discern how best to incorporate this vision into the fabric of our congregation, but “more disciples and better disciples” is an easy phrase to remember as a summary of God’s intention for His church.

            The apostle Paul, in the third chapter of his letter to the Colossians, talks about the culture or mindset within a congregation that creates the atmosphere for this disciple-making to happen.

Col 3:11-13  Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Paul reminds us that we are all in the same boat in the eyes of God. We are all on the same journey of becoming what God wants us to be. None of us are there yet… we all need to forgive and be forgiven… We all need each other if we have any hope of becoming all that God intends us to be. We need a whole village, a whole community.

May we all, in the months ahead, seek to break down whatever barriers we have between us so that we can work together to live into His desires for this church. Pray with me for God to give us a vision of what he wants us to become as a community of Jesus-followers here at Marion Mennonite Church as we enter this new year.

May God be praised as the kingdom is seen in our community life together.

Pastor Carl