Being a Connected Community…
My granddaughter Karly celebrated her fifth birthday this weekend – a milestone year for a whole new world of independence. The family gathered at Pizza Ranch and Karly’s self chosen party theme was “Frozen” – she loves the movie. I wish I could have been there for her birthday party but since she lives in South Dakota I had to Skype instead. I love to hear her tell the stories of all the things that are happening in her life. My granddaughter is growing up. She’s both gifted and extroverted, so it is not unusual that she is surrounded by a group of friends. I remember the first few times when she was a baby and I held her in my hands. Her fragile, little body with frog legs was one of the most beautiful tiny persons I had ever seen. I also came to the realization that this kid was completely, utterly dependent on her mom and dad for life. My little granddaughter could not eat, drink, change, or wash by herself. If mom and dad didn’t do it for her, she would die. But now she is five and she can do all these things BY HERSELF, although she still likes it when I read to her, pour her a drink or hold her hand and go for a walk. And I’ll keep doing it because I love it. I don’t want her to be too independent, not yet. Not ever!
As people grow more actualized, somehow independence seems to be the goal. Culturally, we have come to equate independence with maturity. But there is something missing there. To me, the greatest sign of a healthy, joyful life is not independence but INTERDEPENDENCE. The Apostle Paul wrote about the body of Christ and the unique and diverse members of it. He envisioned the Church as a body of interdependent relationships. Just as the eye can’t function without the brain, and the muscles without the heart, and the foot without the leg, God’s design for the church is that we serve Him like a body of interdependent parts. People knew what this was about in the early church. Through the power of the risen Christ, they became a real community. Faith was not “just me and Jesus.” They ate together, shared possessions together, experienced miracles together, and worshipped together.
I got some good news for you. Maybe you don’t think you make much of a difference in the world. The truth is, YOU DON’T! Not by yourself. When we’re focused on what we do by ourselves, it doesn’t seem to matter. But when you can do what you do and be who you are alongside others, it makes a huge difference. When all the parts come together, there is music. It creates mood. It communicates a message. It changes the world. God designed us to be interdependent. We need each other on the journey. So make connection a priority. “Log in” or be “LinkedIn” to the Body of Christ with God’s Spirit in a way that is authentic, relevant, and relational.
— Wayne Van Regenmorter
Wayne’s Schedule:
August
25 – 29 Vacation
September
1: Labor Day Holiday
2: Strategic Planning Meeting/Beecher, IL
3: Chicago Classis Coordinating Committee Meeting/Calvary Reformed Church/Orland Park, IL
4-6: Ridder Church Renewal Event/Green Lake, WI
7: Sunday Worship
8-10: COSE/Interchange Partnership Meetings/ Grand Rapids, MI
11: Urban Grant Conference Call
12: Ridder Church Renewal Great Lakes/Mid-America Conference Call
13: Off
14: Sunday Worship
Wayne’s contact information:
10088 Prairie Knoll Ct. St. John, IN 46373 Mobile: (941) 302-1281 Email: wregen@msyn.org |