Meaningful Relationships Are What Church is All About!

One of the most encouraging and profound truths in life is that relationships are the fuel that drive our walk with Christ. Being an active part of church becomes an extraordinary blessing when we realize how badly we desire support, encouragement, and acceptance. Church is not a building or a place, but more specifically, church is made up of people who accept Christ as the glue that binds us all together.

Relationships in church are built upon a foundation of acceptance. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3, NLT). With each member of the Lord’s Body consistently seeking and seeing the best in each other, the whole church is blessed with a spirit of unity and purpose. “Church people” are real people, just like you. They just have a goal to be a part of something bigger and grander than going it alone.

Healthy relationships are about building up, not tearing down. “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29, NLT). Ever been stuck on a long journey with a negative person? Isn’t it miserable? Our meaningful relationships bring us into a circle of people who are certainly not perfect, but who are trying to be positive in their support of each other.

“I got your back,” is a phrase you may have heard or used in the past. Loyalty is a virtue hard to come by these days. With the majority of people in the world laser-focused on their own selfish desires, discovering like-minded souls willing to stand with you, beside you, and certainly behind you is a rare commodity. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13, NLT).

It is no surprise to you, no doubt, that people don’t always agree about everything. It may be the case that you have come from a church who experienced the heartbreak of division and discord. When this happens, it is a tragic reminder that we are all human and don’t always see “eye to eye.” When this happens, how does the church respond? Paul said, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13, NLT). Meaningful relationships are sustained by willing hearts who “bend over backwards” to support each other, and when differences arise, they work them out giving glory to God even for our rich diversity.

The bottom line is that people are broken, and meaningful relationships create a space for healing. Unfortunately, because our brokenness often comes with the baggage of low self-esteem, doubt, fear, and even depression, often our “go to” is isolation. This is when church matters the most. Because “God is love” (1 John 4:8), when we love and accept each other unconditionally we are most like Him. Jesus reminds us that “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35, NLT).

At First Christian Church it is our mission to create a safe place for relationships. Whether you are brand-new to our church, have been a member for years, or like many, have been burned in the past by religious people. We consider ourselves not to be religious but forgiven and saved by the grace of Christ. Everyone, regardless of where you come from, or even where you are headed, is welcome at First Christian!