Recently I have joined a youth pastors’ group in PE. Every month we meet up to share our victories and our struggles and give each other advice and encouragement. I have met some amazing, crazy folks, and really gotten over my misconception of what goes on in non-denominational “happy-clappy” churches!
Although I have not been a part of the group for long, it has made such a difference for me, to be able to chat with like-minded people who are dealing with the same struggles and can appreciate the wins that seem small but are huge in kids’ ministry. There are also very few female youth pastors in PE, so getting to chat to some ladies who have to fight the uphill battle of relating to teenagers in the same way “cool” 20-something guys are able to, was fantastic. (FYI, we decided it’s because we remind the teens too much of their schoolteachers!) The group has really opened my eyes to the importance of having a community around you that you can relate to.
When we look at the early church, we see how important that community was. I can only imagine how hard it must have been to set up an entirely new order of faith in a hostile environment, and how important it would have been to have others to talk to, who were going through the same battle. It made sense that they would meet up regularly to encourage and grow each other. And give a space for venting!
Looking at the story of Queen Esther, she asked the community to pray for her before taking on the life-threatening task of approaching the king, uninvited, to plea for her people. She and those closest to her fasted together. In the hardest times, the people you count as your community, are the ones you turn to for Spiritual support.
If we look further back we see how Elijah struggled for so many years by himself. Always sending his servant off and not having someone to carry his weight with him. Even in his final fiery exit from the earth, he tries to leave without Elisha looking on. During his years as the prophet to Israel, he must have felt so lonely, believing he was one of the last followers of God in a divided kingdom. God’s encouragement that there were still 7000 Israelites loyal to Him, must have meant so much to Elijah.
Bringing it back to present times, it is so clear how important it is that we build a healthy Christian community around ourselves. The church is the greatest place to find this. The ministries such as WoW, Amen, Grief and Cancer support, give us niche spaces to talk about things others will be going through too. Tea after church on Sunday! The minister at my home church when I was in Pretoria always used to say he counted attendance not based on how many people sat in the pews, but how many stuck around for tea afterwards.
Fellowship on Sundays is such a great place to reconnect and connect with new faces. The service can act as a great icebreaker for conversation as we try to get to know each other better. There is even the added bonus of the best coffee in town! Then there are Bible studies. There is one for every age group and stage of life. Bible studies grow together. Friendships form between the unlikeliest people and bonds are forged through supporting each other through the trials of life. Every time you meet you will walk away learning something more about God, your companions and yourself. It takes time getting to know each other. The Bible study I am in has gone from cordial greetings and polite chuckles, with punctual finishing times, to closing in prayer and leaving an hour later, with sides sore from laughter. Communities take time to grow but the support you receive and give in them, can be just what is needed to get through any challenge.
Much love in Christ
Heather P