We come to the end of our the five principles regarding church as authentic community from Wayne Jacobsen's book, Finding Church: What If There Really Is Something More?. As you might expect, this little consideration has generated no small amount of discussion about the validity of what he is proposing.
We all have our perspective on what is biblical, scriptural, practical,etc. and I am not intending to imply that Wayne has said it all, or even said enough. I do think that the points he raises in the book are worth discussing if we have any inclination toward moving more fully into what God intends for us.
So here we go with the last principal...your comments are encouraged!
Be Generous with your Friendships
With every overlapping relationship, the church grows. One of the greatest treasures I can share with someone I love is access to my other friends. This is the final step in the temple rising. The Spirit weaves a tapestry of light and life in the world by knitting together an international network of interrelated people whose relationships give visibility to the work of Jesus. As people generously share their friendships instead of becoming cloistered in their own groups, the church takes shape.
I am blessed to have good friends across a wide spectrum of the body of Christ, locally, nationally, and internationally . I spend time with people who go to and even lead traditional congregations, those committed to the house church movement, and those who simply live out their life relationally in the body of Christ. Not only am I blessed by wisdom from such a diverse group, but the revelation of the body of Christ is enhanced by a growing unity of heart that is greater than whether or not we share conformity to a given group.
His church is an ever-expanding network of friends and friends of friends that Jesus arranges so he can bring wisdom, resources, and his kingdom to bear on the world. I’ve been blessed to have a front row seat for some of the most amazing connections that allowed some higher purpose of his to unfold because we had the time and flexibility to work together at his request.
Participating in his church for us now is simply asking him each week, “Who do you want us to be with?” As people are on our heart, we make time to be with them for whatever purpose he has in mind. We can be helping people find their way out of a dark place, equipping people to embrace their own relationship with him, enjoying the fellowship of people exploring a vast kingdom as they share their experiences and hopes, learning together something we need to know, helping others connect with people we know, or finding agreement that allows the will of God to come to this earth as it already functions in heaven.
That’s how the church finds expression. Don’t look to be loved, love! Don’t look for like-minded people, just those he’s asking you to walk alongside. Live that way and you’ll find the church taking shape around you.
It can really be that simple… and that real!
Blessings...
Jacobsen, Wayne (2014-10-13). Finding Church: What If There Really Is Something More (Kindle Locations 2710-2720). TrailView Media. Kindle Edition.
Teacher, speaker, entrepreneur and follower of Christ; with a passion to be a catalyst for authentic community.