This week’s offering is a reflection for Community of Faith United Methodist Church, Davenport, Fla. – an analysis of a sermon by Pastor Chris Jones, May 16, 2020

In case you missed it, here are the highlights of the pastor’s message this past weekend as he continued in the series called, “Credo: I Believe” (a review of The Apostles Creed)

The focus this weekend was on the phrase:“…I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints…”

The term “catholic” refers to one universal church; a global and intergalactic church.”

The phrase “communion of saints” refers to the spiritual union of the members of the Christian Church.

The phrase “living and the dead” denotes those who are in Heaven.

Pastor’s Question: If you are Christian do you have to be part of the church?

Short answer = YES! To take faith seriously, you must be part of a church.

The message was not meant to imply:

That people are under any obligation to join our church or our Christian faith (not obligatory).

That we will lose our salvation if we do not go to church (we will not).

That we must stay in a church with “toxic leaders” (No! Find a healthy church!).

But the pastor had some exceptionally good reasons WHY we should be part of the church. So first, a listing of the reasons indicated by Pastor Chris, followed by additional notes of reflection.

1.              God made us for community.

·                God is the Holy Trinity. He is a community within Himself (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). God designed us NOT to be alone (Genesis 1:27, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

·                (Note to self) I used to think widowhood or depression was the relentless solitude of being alone, until the isolation of corona virus. I miss the contact with other humans. No joining hands in prayer, no hugs, smiles that are now hidden behind masks, not even a hand on the shoulder. People passing by do not look at each other anymore. I move to the other side of the street in fear of someone sneezing in my direction, Heaven forbid! I cannot even complain about other drivers on the road because I am not supposed to go anywhere and, even if I did, I hear there is no traffic! I have more empathy now for those in prison by themselves (behind bars or just within their own closed doors or hurting hearts).

I am thankful at least I can go outside. And someday, we will be able to go to church again! We need fellow believers to care, share, flourish, and grow. We need community to avoid the void! I miss Children’s Church and hearing the kids laugh and dance and even whine! I miss my fellow man and the world I used to live in. That is how I know God made us for community. It’s in our DNA and I long for it all: the good, the bad, the ugly, the “all of life” that this life has to offer. I pray for community again.

2.              Christianity is not a solo affair. It is a team sport.

·                (1 Corinthians 12: 20-21, ²⁰“Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.”²¹“The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ The head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.”

Yes, I was as shocked as you that Pastor C. never played for the Duke Blue Devils (but with a name like that, it may have been prohibited in his field of seminary studies!). He could not play FOR the devils now, could he?!

·                (Note to self) We cannot be Christian unless we follow Jesus. Right there is the initial partnership and makes us a duo. In fact, since (in Methodism at least) the Godhead is a Trinity, then our partnership with God becomes a quadruplet. Jesus is our Coach. He always needed a team of disciples. We are His team of today, of the “right now.” Go Team Jesus! Jesus, I am so glad You picked us to be on Your team! We will help You build God’s team!

3.              All of us have a part to play in Christ’s body. All of us do!

This is also reflected in 1 Corinthians 12:20, ²⁰“Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.”Everyone is a person of worth and value. Each of us is a Child of God.

·                (Note to self) Yes, even the ones that hurt us. Even the ones we must forgive, they are each a child of God. And we all have a part to play in our Christian neighborhood because we each have different gifts.

1 Peter 4:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

 “God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

4.              Church puts us with people we would not naturally gravitate toward.

I LOVED this part: “We work with ANYONE that Jesus drags in the door!” (Hey, now! But, yes, even this is true!) And it cracked me up!!!

·                (Note to self) I don’t think I was dragged into the church, was I, Lord? Kicked in the door, maybe. But wow, once I got there! God takes the “unliked, the unloved, the un-noticed, the unforgiven” and gives them mercy by sending them to His sacred places, to connect with others, when otherwise, they may have never been noticed. Church gives us a place to give love and receive love. WE are His sacred places,so He puts people in our lives for purposes we may never know the extent of God’s impact. As disciples, it is a part of our vocation.

5.              We need our family. The family of God.

Pastor C. shared his personal interactions and life within Community of Faith and how it impacted him personally through his major life events. The loss of his beloved mother, his engagement and marriage to (Saint) Amanda, the birth and Baptism of the pastor’s twins, Hannah and Noah. He felt supported, cared about, loved.

·       (Note to self) You might say Community of Faith is like a nest built with the love of God’s soft feathers. He sends His believers to help us with gentle guidance and in time of need, to share our joys, our sorrows, our souls as we need to. Where else would we get this other than from God’s family? Where else would we feel so safe?

6.              We go to church because the Bible commands it!

Hebrews 10: 24-25, ²⁴“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” ²⁵“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.”

·       (Note to self) Not only does the Bible command it, but I seem to recall vowing my presence to the church when I became a member December 15, 2018. To be part of a church requires engagement beyond only observing. We also promise at every Baptism to engage in the growth and faith of those new to the body of Christ. The very name of this beloved church is “Community” of Faith.

I attend church, in person or virtually, to strengthen my faith and to grow spiritually. I attend church to receive God’s love so I can share it as His disciple. I attend church to learn different views and the wisdom and true Word of God. I attend church because I like to see my friends. I attend church because I like to BE a friend and help others. I attend church because it pleases God! I attend church so Jesus can touch my heart by renewing His covenant through the bread and the cup. And like Pastor Chris, I would not want to experience life without a church family. After all, if not for our church family, then who else would pray for us?

Bonnie Zickgraf is a retired pastor, author, columnist for The Times, and an RN in mental health nursing. Send comments and prayer requests to [email protected].