Are there any stakes, any risks involved when we choose to belong to a church fellowship? That’s akin to asking “Does it rain in Oregon?” Anytime you commit to people, the potential for pain and problems exists. You’ll get ripped off by Christians from time to time! In fact, Clement of Rome (c. A.D. 35-101) claimed the martyrdom of both Peter and Paul was ultimately due to the immaturity of fellow-Christians!
While pastoring in Willits, I used to take early morning walks in the neighborhood of our church. On one of these strolls, I decided to stop and talk with an elderly gentleman, a professing Christian. I normally set aside these times as a diversion from the rigors of ministry and really didn’t want to talk but decided, for the sake of building a relationship with him, I would. I got ripped off! He did it by speaking those words we all love to hear: “Say, you don’t look too good. You looked better a few months ago. What’s wrong?”
The words flashed through my mind “Nothing you ole’ buzzard” — but being a man of God (lol) I said, “Oh I’m fine. I’ve just been on a deliberate diet!”
Of course, this incident was minor in comparison to the “surprises” that awaited me not long thereafter!
There are risks involved when we choose to belong; when we choose to care; when we choose to serve — but the rewards far outweigh the rip-offs. It’s only within that context of fellowship, of choosing to belong, that we become Christ like!
Think about this: What Christian qualities really matter that don’t involve people? Much of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 has to do with people skills.
What if hermit John the Baptist had refused to come out of seclusion to fulfill God’s public mission for him: to herald the coming of Messiah Jesus, followed by a hands-on ministry to multiple thousands of people in the Judean wilderness?
You might be quite surprised at how many effective Christian leaders identify themselves with this very personality type — introversion!
But rather than choosing obscurity, these men and women have elected obedience to God’s command, found in Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
It’s kind of hard to “think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” if we’re never around other believers! And what good are talents (such as musical ability) or spiritual gifts (such as those listed in I Corinthians 12; Romans 12; Ephesians 4; I Peter 4) if we’re not available to use them?
So, regardless of the personality type we’ve been given, let’s commit to fulfilling our call to encourage and to minister to one another with the abilities and opportunities God brings our way.