Mutual Care And Support

by THOMAS, R. | Category: Principles Of Church Growth | Oct 2002

Introduction

Churches of God may be large or small. Scripture does not tell us a lot about the size of the early churches because it is not the major determinant of a healthy church. Nevertheless, rapid growth was evident on the Day of Pentecost when all who repented and believed the preaching of Peter were baptized and about three thousand were added to the Church of God in Jerusalem.(1) The church continued to grow as the Lord added to their number each day those who were being saved.(2)

These new disciples cultivated an attitude of devotion to the apostles' teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers.(3) They were committed to each other and nurtured a strong sense of mutual care in the church as demonstrated by their willingness to sell their possessions in order to give to any who were in need. In every way, this young church, the first church of God, demonstrated dynamic growth.

The benefits of the early persecution

Not everyone was willing to accept the preaching of the apostles. In only a relatively short time the teachers of the Jews could not withstand the truth that Stephen spoke and in their rage they stoned him until he died. On that same day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem(4) and it grew in intensity. However, persecution contributed to the churches being unified in one heart and boldness of purpose(5) and, as the believers were scattered abroad, new churches of God were planted in other towns and cities. The Fellowship grew numerically as more believers were added to the churches.

Persecution would also strengthen growth in the love and care those in the Fellowship had for each other. Someone facing a personal crisis alone can be overwhelmed by the feelings of inadequacy, guilt, failure or hopelessness. It is a great comfort to know that all born-again believers are hidden with Christ in God(6) and nothing is able to separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(7) David wrote, 'Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens.' (8) Likewise, it is essential today for brethren and sisters in the Fellowship to share each other's burdens (9) so that each individual never needs to feel isolated and alone.

Shepherds watch over the flock

Fellowship with other believers is important, for the Lord Jesus never promised a Christian walk without obstacles. In fact, the Lord Jesus taught the very opposite saying, '"If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."' (10) We are thankful for the assurance that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear and when we are tempted, He will also provide a way out.(11) There is great comfort in His promise, '"I will never leave you nor forsake you."' (12) The challenge is, with the help of those who care, to choose the correct response to our daily difficulties and trials. Believers were never intended by God to walk the Christian pathway unaccompanied and without support in times of weakness.

The Lord asked Peter three times, '"Do you love Me?"' and he replied three times in the affirmative that he did. The Lord responded by telling him to feed, and take care of, His lambs and sheep.(13) Believers are described as sheep, but are not to be like sheep wandering in the wilderness. One of God's purposes in the Fellowship was that believers may be together in one flock under the care of shepherds. Alongside the lofty privileges associated with worship and spiritual unity, churches of God exist so that believers may be knitted together as one in a community recognizable by its love and caring. The shepherds or elders are appointed from among the brethren to nurture and keep watch over the flock as men who must give account to the Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd. (14)

Shepherds must feed and take care of the flock and this service should be a joy, not a burden. In this regard, we must submit to our elders (15) and maintain a spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. All are to be like-minded, honouring others above themselves and to be devoted to one another in sincere brotherly love.(16) Our love is not an unchanging, static thing; it increases or diminishes over time. The Lord will help each of us to increase and abound in love for each other and for everyone else. (17) This deepening care for those in the Fellowship is love in action, a reflection of God's love that shines into our hearts and should radiate into the darkness of our world.

A sense of belonging and caring for the needs of others

Compared to many church congregations, churches of God today are generally considered to be quite small, but this enables each face in the assembly to be recognized and each person known by name. This sense of identity fosters a close fellowship of mutual care and support where each is able to consider others better than himself and to look not only at his own interests, but also to the interests of others.(18) A feeling of oneness and belonging to a spiritual family is facilitated by good communication, where everyone has an awareness of specific needs of others and, therefore, the opportunity to respond.

The art of listening is important for more than learning. It also demonstrates a caring and sympathetic attitude towards the feelings and emotions of others as they struggle beneath life's burdens that are weighing them down spiritually. Listening carefully, with empathy, confidentiality and unquestioned trustworthiness is indispensable to gain the confidence of those who need help. Both brethren and sisters are able to practice a pastoral care among the saints simply by listening and supporting those who are stumbling in their spiritual pathway. It is true that some may be more gifted for this work than others, but it is a quality that all need to exercise as they strive to excel in those gifts that lead to the edification of the whole church. (19)

Unfortunately, we all suffer from the weaknesses of our human nature and often feel inadequate in perceiving the needs of others. It requires a commitment of love, because when all else fails, love never fails.(20) Love is a fruit of the Spirit, and through love we are able to establish a delightful environment of caring, because love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres.(21) Therefore, we endeavour to keep the command of the Lord Jesus when He said, '"... love one another; as I have loved you ... By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."' (22)

This love and care for all in the Fellowship should be a consistent lifestyle, but it wasn't always that way. Paul did not commend the church in Corinth for its love. (23) Instead he told them that he had opened his heart to them and did not withhold his affection from them, but they were withholding theirs from him. This was not a fair exchange and he implored them to open wide their hearts. There were some exceptions to this lack of care and he mentioned a few who had refreshed his spirit when they came to support him.(24) He encouraged the saints to recognize all those who laboured in the 'service of the saints' and suggested that they submit to the humble example of Stephanas and his household. Paul dwelt at some length in his first letter to the Corinthians about their lack of love and service. When he wrote his second letter, he was able to write of his encouragement and confidence in them for their devotion to the care and support of others.(25) Paul recognized that this aspect of tending the sheep in the flock is essential to the healthy growth, and indeed survival, of the church.

Conclusion

Although the churches of God today are not experiencing rapid growth in numbers everywhere, they continue to demonstrate solid development in love and care. This pleasant atmosphere of love amongst those in the Fellowship is a strong indicator of a healthy church. Over the years, this expression of love demonstrated in mutual care and support has permeated the Fellowship. It has been a testimony to believers and unbelievers alike; many were first attracted to a church of God because of this mutual care. It is with thankfulness that we should look to those who in trial and affliction have known God's comfort, for they are then able to comfort others as the need arises.(26) The Christian pathway is sometimes difficult, but as Christians in the Fellowship, we do not need to walk alone.

(1) Acts 2:41, 42 (2) Acts 2:47 (3) Acts 2:42 (4) Acts 8:1 (5) Acts 8:6; 9:31 cf 4:32 (6) Col. 3:3 (7) Rom. 8:37-39 (8) Ps. 68:19(NIV) (9) Gal. 6:2 (10) John 15:20 (11) 1 Cor. 10:13 (12) Heb. 13:5 (13) John 21:15-17 (14) Heb. 13:20 (15) Heb. 13:17 (16) Rom. 12:10-13 (17) 1 Thess. 3:12 (18) Phil. 2:3, 4 (19) 1 Cor. 14:12 (20) 1 Cor. 13:8 (21) 1 Cor. 13:4 (22) John 13:34,35 (23) 2 Cor.6:11,12 (24) 1 Cor. 16:15-18 (NIV) (25) 2 Cor. 7:12,13,16 (26) 2 Cor.1:4

THOMAS, R. | Oct 2002
Principles Of Church Growth