Arrows of Truth # 23 - What is the 2nd cord of connection to the local church?
We are considering the concept of
connectedness
as the goal of the local church for every believer (including restored dropout believers). Last week we looked at the first cord: a heart for the pastor and vision of the local church.
The second of the three cords of connection is:
2. Personal relationships in the (local) church
The second cord of connectivity of the believer to the local church is the development of personal relationships with others in the local church (Col 3: v12-14).
Relationships provide a fertile training ground for spiritual growth. The fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) is produced in the rubbing together of different personalities who are learning to submit to one another in love. These relationships will serve as support, encouragement, strengthening, and correction in life.
It is imperative not just to have relationships to other believers, but to have relationships to believers in your local church. The reason is that believers connected to another church have the vision and truth relevant to their calling. The function (vision) is different for different churches - some are eyes, ears, hands, feet, etc. The believer will become distracted from his place in the body if he only receives input from those in another body. It is vital that each believer develop relationships with others in their local body.
This cord is developed as believers in the body reach out toward one another. The effort and emphasis here is on you, as a member of the body, to reach out to the other believers in the church body, especially the disconnected ones, to cultivate these relationships.
TIP #23
For your own part, do you have relationships beyond ‘Hi’ in your church? People that can minister to you and vice versa? For more depth on this read the Hunters of the Harvest book: chapter 15. To order the ministry book go to website www.Huntersoftheharvest.org and click Order.
