Relationships Within the Body

I’d like to take a moment to touch on something mentioned in past emails. We know it’s a critical issue for the church because God’s Word contains many thoughts on this topic: Relationships within the body. It’s important for us all to continue to step out in faith in this area, so that we might continue to mature as a healthy body.

With this in mind I would like to mention a few brief thoughts from Colossians 2:1-2.

In this passage Paul mentions that he’s struggled in order that others would gain inner strength//encouragement. He said this encouragement would come through 2 different means:

1. Becoming knit together (connected) with one another.
2. Through knowing Jesus Christ.
Our strength and health is not only dependent on knowing Christ, but also on building loving, connected relationships with one another.

With this thought in mind, please consider the following questions:

• What words would you use to describe your connections here at PSCC?
• Are your relationships continuing to gain depth?
• Is your “circle of friends” continuing to expand?
• What steps of faith can you take in order to grow in this area?

Of course until Christ returns, being ‘knit together in love’ will be a continued area of growth and maturity for every believer and all churches. We also know that progress happens as we take obedient steps of faith.

Here are just a few simple suggestions that may help you “get the ball rolling” in your efforts to be knit together:

-Take time to visit after church service / during events.
-Take a few minutes to greet a person you typically do not speak with.
-Find times outside of church to hang out with one another (dinner, gym, shopping, coffee, household projects, etc)
-Take risks as you talk to others. Initiate conversations that go a bit deeper than just cordial greetings.
-Attendance is important. Try to show up consistently for church or church events.

While we’re on this topic, I’ll add a final note of encouragement.
A while back, I received a very uplifting e-mail on your behalf. Here are a few of the comments it contained…

“Being in full time ministry for years we have had the opportunity to visit many churches across several states and in the last few months have visited many churches across the valley. I have to let you know that your church is by far the friendliest church we have ever visited! So, your people have been really well trained and honestly come across as being very sincere. That’s a rare commodity in churches these days!”

Way to move towards ‘being knit together’! What an encouraging sign of growth.

Please keep up the good work and continue to press on for the purpose of being a fit flock and healthy body that brings glory and honor to our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ.

Thankful for our church,
Pastor Rich