Our Church Family

I will admit some apprehension about using “family” language when talking about Church.  In most families, you are either born or married into a structure that has a defined hierarchy of power and control.  Certain people are given titles to identify their positions of authority (there is a reason I choose not to use the title “Mother”).  Some family dynamics can create unhealthy relationships (co-dependence, enabling, even abuse).

However, (before you think I came from a really dysfunctional family!) all of this can be redeemed if we choose to use family language in Church when we think about it as ADOPTION.  In his letter to the Romans, Paul says, “You have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” (8:15b-17).  In this way, all of God’s children become equals in the family, all sharing the same blessings and benefits of having the love and support of a huge network of brothers and sisters.

When we start from a place of loving equality, then a Church family can flourish. Yes, it is true that certain people are given certain responsibilities based on training or selection, but at the heart of it, we share a common goal of learning to be better disciples of Christ.  We learn how to love like Jesus loved with a community of like-minded people, so when we are NOT with that group, we can love even when it is a challenge. 

Churches should take the very best parts of being a family – love, support, growth, fun – and make them tangible for all who participate in any way.  This can be challenging because we can get used to long-term members of the family and forget how to welcome those who are new.  It is easy to talk and be with those who are familiar, but an adoptive family is prepared to welcome those who are unfamiliar with how “it all works.”  Moreover, there are times when the family has to make accommodations and changes to “how things have always been done” when new members arrive.  Will life in the family be different? Yes, because each new sister or brother brings their own gifts and talents.  That doesn’t mean it is wrong or bad as long as we focus on what is important: loving God and each other and sharing that love with everyone.

This Sunday we are celebrating “Homecoming Sunday,” a time to welcome home all of those who are a part of St. Barnabas’ extended family – almost like a family reunion.  We want to see all of our sisters and brothers gathered to worship and praise God, and then break bread together, because what family doesn’t eat!  We hope you will be able to join us and enjoy seeing old friend and new neighbors.  You can also bring a friend with you to share the joy!

I hope you will take some time to think about your understanding of family and how being adopted into the Body of Christ we call St. Barnabas has affected your life.  I do hope it has been for the better.  If so, how can we continue to share our ministry with others who need to be adopted into a loving family? If not, what do we need to change in order to be the disciples that we want to be?

I look forward to seeing on Sunday!

In Christ,

Rev. Valerie+ 

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