Church in Practice

If yesterday was the “what” behind the Church, then today is the “why”.

Specifically, why we need it.

And when I say need, I mean need.

Roseto, Pennsylvania 

Some years ago, the American town of Roseto, Pennsylvania drew significant attention from the medical community. 

The reason? 

Its people were living longer than the average American.

Heart attacks are among the most common causes of death in the United States, but hardly anyone in Roseto died of them. To figure out why, medical professionals flocked to the small town and interviewed its inhabitants. 

It certainly wasn’t what they ate. A majority of Roseto was Italian-American, meaning healthy eating wasn’t exactly a priority. 

So, why were they living longer?

Because of their community.

You see, your average Italian-American has a fierce commitment to community.

Roseto embodied this well. The people there had such low stress levels because they knew if something went wrong (lost a job, a loved one, etc.), they would have their community to rely on.

Their sense of community was so strong that it literally increased their lifespans. 

The Church as Life-Giving Community

Humans, by nature, need community.

Jesus knew this well.

He also knew that there’s power in community.

Hence, He established the Church.

Now, when I say power, I mean the power to live life well - or, in our context, to live as Jesus did.

God knows we need each other. He also knows that community is an excellent avenue for change.

So, through His Holy Spirit, He gives us a special kind of community. 

It’s a place that doesn’t exclude based on race, gender, or class but, instead, includes diverse groups from all over the spectrum of humanity. 

The church I attend and serve at, ICF Rotterdam Noord, has over 30 nationalities, and within those nationalities, we have people of all ages, experiences, and walks of life. 

You’d think that would make it hard for us to come together, but the opposite is true. Our shared love of Jesus turns things that might normally be stumbling blocks into ways we appreciate and love one another.

When issues inevitably appear, we know that we’ll be there for each other.

If we need help moving, someone will help us move. 

If we’re going through something tragic, someone will cry with us. 

We relate to each other, encourage each other, and, most importantly, follow Jesus together.

All in all, we thrive because of the community Christ has given us.

Christianity is not, and never was, an individual effort.

A healthy relationship with God requires a healthy relationship with others who follow Him.

The Church provides us with the place to find that, answering not only our need for community but our need for spiritual formation, too.

So, now that we know what the Church is and why we need it, a new question arises - how do we engage with it?

That’s for tomorrow.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

Theophilus Newsletter