The community of believers was of one mind and one heart. None of them claimed anything as their own; rather, everything was held in common. —Acts 4:32
The odds are pretty good that you share with me the dread of calling tech support for a computer or software issue. The reasons for such dread are several. The problem is unfixable. The tech support person wants to go on lunch break, or doesn’t know what they’re talking about. You’re on hold until the next century. I’m sure you could add more.
The power of the early church, which should be the power of the current church, is their tech support was much, much better. Life issues were what the early Christians assisted each other with. They excelled in listening and in demonstrating compassion, generosity, and sacrifice. They didn’t let disagreements hinder relationships but strove to be “of one mind and one heart.”
I look for such churchy tech support in my congregation. How do people express concern for what others are going through, whether in one-on-one interactions or in supporting different groups? It does my heart good, for example, to see folks advocating for LGBTQ and trans rights because their hearts break for how these brothers and sisters have been historically mistreated by the religious establishment.
Next time you’re in church, look around and see how people care for and love each other. Let them inspire you, as they do me, to love as Jesus loves.
And how wonderful that no 800 number is needed.
Times have changed w church attendees..
I think there was much more judging when I was young. Some of that good and some bad. Standards of what’s proper out the window. Right or wrong?
Something came to mind reading your thoughtful reflection, Jane. Perhaps the concern for what’s proper is still there, but the basis for deciding it has shifted through the years. The turmoil of disaffiliations in the UMC has surfaced this in a way. I think the standard for discernment is “How does this align with Jesus’ teachings and example?” That opens up gray areas in places where it was once easy to make black-and-white judgments.
I have enough to worry about in my own behavior, should I choose to worry . I’d be presumptuous to concern myself with others.
Mark S