Geography and Your Christian Growth

 

What factors came into play as you were deciding where to stay? No doubt cost came into it. We want to live in housing that is affordable for our income. No doubt certain amenities came in as well. We also consider accessibility, security and distance from our places of work. All these factors are important and ought to continue playing a role in such a decision. But have you ever considered how living in close proximity to fellow church members might serve your faith?

One another

When we consider the teaching of the New Testament, we notice that the Christian life is to be lived in such a way as to have regular ‘one another’ contact with fellow saints in our churches. For example, we have an exhortation in Hebrews 3.12 to ‘exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.’ Notice the implication of such an instruction for access to other saints. Interaction between the saints for purposes of safeguarding one another’s faith is to be an everyday reality. Especially when threats to faith have arisen, as was the case with the Hebrews.

Many other such instructions are common in the other epistles. We are to bear one another's burdens, love one another, and maintain unity with each other. When there’s an occasion for rejoicing, we are to rejoice with one another, and when grief strikes, we are to grieve with one another. The disciples of Jesus were to be known for their love for each other (John 13.35). This love was an observable phenomenon. It was a reality to be seen in how they lived in relation to each other. This love could not be seen if there wasn't regular embodied interaction between them. It was to be something of a culture as opposed to ‘one-off’ feats of love and sacrifice. 

Pursuing proximity

As we attempt to conform our lives to the kind of closeness of life we are called to live as Christians, we immediately notice that geography begins to play an important role. The Christian life is church-shaped, and proximity to the saints in your church goes a long way in aiding the depth and beauty of a church’s life and gospel witness. It makes it more likely than not that we will work for the joy and progress of each other's faith.

When fellow members live close by, it becomes quite organic to be in one another’s lives. The energy that would otherwise have been spent planning how to get to them is then spent considering how to encourage them. Should a need arise in their lives that requires more regular attention and care (sometimes daily), it is easier to provide such care because of the ease of access. The time that would have had to be factored into travel is redeemed and used for their joy. Also, new time slots for meeting one another open up. Evenings, early mornings, and lunch times all become available because it's quick to get to them and quick to get back home. In the event of emergencies, members close by become a huge grace as they can quickly get to one another.

Yes, sometimes love for the saints will mean literally going out of our way to serve others. This may include long and arduous travel. However, if we can overcome geographic barriers to our growth in Christ, let us, by all means, do so.

Worthy investment

So, as you consider where you will live, don’t forget to include proximity to other members as a high priority. It may cost you a little more in rent, but it will definitely pay off in spiritual dividends over time as you weave your life deeply with fellow saints. Seeing that God has given them to you to help you navigate the dangerous toils and snares of your earthly pilgrimage, invest in being as close to them as possible. Your faith may just depend on it.

Note: This is a guest article by John Musyimi; check out his work at https://johnmusyimi.com/about-john

Body Dynamics: the weak and strong living in harmony

Last week, I took my two boys for a walk. Our youngest is two. When we walked out of the gate, I knew where we were headed and how long it would take us to get there. However, there was a problem. If I walked at my pace, my son would have to run to keep up. If we walked at his pace, getting there would take a while. If I carried him the whole way, I would be tired, and he would miss the exercise that would strengthen his body.

In many ways, that is a perfect picture of the body of Christ. The church is comprised of people at different stages of Christian maturity. For this reason, it is often a challenge to figure out the pace at which the body should move. Some struggle with issues that others deem non-issues. Some clearly understand where they should be and what they need to do to get there, while some have to be convinced about the need to go first! Some have resolved some theological and ethical challenges in their minds and have settled convictions, while some are only beginning to answer the questions.

Such a situation poses a wonderful or potentially volatile opportunity. Those who are mature in matters, let’s call them the strong, will struggle with the temptation to look down on or be frustrated with those who are immature; let’s call them the weak. The weak, in turn, will despise the strong for their freedom and insensitivity to matters. The strong could walk at their pace, to the neglect of the weak, or they could carry the weak on their back and never allow them to wrestle through issues. A better option is for them to walk alongside the weak and help them grow to maturity.

This was the situation at the church in Rome. Romans 14 and 15 address such a challenge between the strong and the weak in the church. In addition, Scripture admonishes that the strong should lovingly bear with the weak. In other words, it is God’s design for them to be together and to help each other joyfully grow. It would be easy for the strong to start their own church and the weak to do likewise, but such actions would be motivated by pride and self-satisfaction, attitudes that are works of the flesh. Therefore, the Scripture exhorts:

But we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those who are without strength and not please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbour for good, for edification. Romans 15:1-2

 

MINISTERIAL PLATFORMS, SELF-PRAISE AND SELF-GLORY

John the Baptist is a fascinating character. He plays an essential role in the narrative of the gospels and yet is so peripheral we often do not pay attention to him. Almost always, you hear him mentioned; it is, by the way, which was the role God intended him to play all along. Every time John speaks, he is pointing to Christ and deflecting focus from himself.

Interestingly, Jesus called him the greatest man that ever lived and yet, at the same time, the least in the kingdom (Matthew 11:11). John the Baptist was always humble in his self-assessment. Notice the phrases used to refer to or describe the man: he was not the light, I am not the Christ, I am not Elijah, I am not the prophet, a voice in the wilderness, I must decrease, he ended up in prison and beheaded. It is not a glamorous ministry, and neither is it one you want to crave, yet John, by Christ's estimations, was the greatest. What lessons can we learn from the life and ministry of John the Baptist? 

 

Ministerial platforms come from God.

John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. John 3:27

This perspective of life and ministry will save many of us from envy of other people's success and from jostling for attention and praise from people. Ministry platforms and opportunities come from God, and they are to be used for Him, not self-promotion or exaltation. This perspective will also ensure that you are content with your ministry, whether it is celebrated or little-known. Christians with this perspective are satisfied with being forgotten. They recognise a difference between proclaiming and promoting the cause of Christ and promotion of self. Oh, for wisdom to know the difference.

 

Ministerial platforms are meant to point to Christ.

John the Baptist understood that he was just meant to prepare the way and stay out of the way. He was merely a pointer and not the point. The point was Jesus Christ! Someone rightly said, If all people see is you and your efforts to build a platform, then you are stealing the show." The clamour for people's attention in a minister’s should be of concern. With the rise of social media, the temptation is ever real. Where does one draw the line?

On the one hand, it is a wonderful tool for ministry, while on the other hand, the dangers of self-praise are ever-present. Every man knows the motives behind his actions. Ada Whittington's prayer should be every minister's. 

 

Not I, but Christ be honoured, loved, exalted,

Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;

Not I, but Christ in every look and action,

Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.

 

Ministerial platforms can only be enjoyed when used for the glory of God.

Every time I officiate a wedding, I remind the bridal party and the family that it's not their wedding, and it is not about them! It is not uncommon for the supporting act to make it their show; they whine and grumble and make ridiculous demands. Such people never get to enjoy the celebration. They are so preoccupied with getting the attention that they are frustrated that the bride and groom are the centre.

 

Could it be that part of the reason a lot of Christian ministers are often grumpy and discontent with their ministry role and places is because they are seeking self-glory? People who miss the point and fail to understand their part do not have the joy of serving God. Their happiness is often tied to the recognition and praise of others. They are not happy if they have a particular position or role. They are grumpy if they are not in control or have their way. They are so glad when the numbers are high and the likes are on the rise, and they are delighted when they receive approval. And they are miserable when the numbers are low and no one praises them. They rejoice when they are invited to places and connected with certain people. They are envious when someone else receives attention; they quietly ask, “Why not me?” All these and many other examples reveal the wrong focus in ministry. It is not about us; we are mere instruments in the hands of our maker, and our joy comes from the fact we have made our God known whether people listen or they do not or whether they praise us or they do not. That’s not to say there is anything spiritual about failure or that we should glory in it. My point is that we should have John’s perspective of life and ministry:

 

You yourselves bear me, witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:28-30