The Sweetness of Unity

As a pastor of a relatively young fellowship of believers, one question that I get constantly is "How's the church going?" I appreciate the interest that people have in Community Christian Fellowship but my answer is always so inadequate. I usually answer that question with something really eloquent like "pretty good." Wow. Really? "Pretty good?"

It is really hard to articulate to someone how "the church is going" but today was a good "snapshot" of how CCF is going. Today was another reminder to me that God is indeed doing a work in our church and I have to say it is "pretty good." Actually it is better than that. It is sweet.

What happened today? Record attendance? Huge offering? New building? No, no and no. What happened today was another demonstration of love by serving one another with pure joy.

Because of the snow, we were unable to meet at our normal location or our normal time but that didn't faze the people of CCF.

"Where?" "What time?" "We will be there!"

And I am not talking people who show up, sit in a chair or pew for an hour and then go home. I am talking about people who arrive an hour or more before we start to work and work hard, and then stay after the service to serve more.

The trailer has to be hauled to the location, unloaded. Then everybody works as one to set up sound, a children's department and everything else we need in a new location that nobody is used to. Then when the worship service is over (and our worship is never only an hour!) everything has to be broken down and loaded back in the trailer and hauled away.

It requires flexibility, patience and a willingness to simply serve and it requires teamwork. I saw all of that today and more. I saw a family that God has made, not only working together, but serving Him with joy and true unity. It is so sweet.

Jesus said "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Apostle Paul urged the believers in Ephesians to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

I love to preach but the most powerful message that is proclaimed from Community Christian Fellowship is the love for one another and unity in the Spirit demonstrated every week and magnified in challenging circumstances like today by our family in Christ at CCF! Thank you Lord!

The next time someone asks me "How's the church going?" maybe instead of "pretty good" I will say, "It is sweet!"