2 Timothy 4:9-10 (ESV)
Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present
world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus
to Dalmatia.
One of the things I have observed about pastoral ministry is that it is
often very lonely. That is likely true of those in high levels of leadership
across the board, but it is especially true of those in ministry. It was no
less true of Paul who almost always had people travelling with him. Rural
pastors in particular are often very much alone. As Paul was imprisoned and
nearing the end of his life, he felt acutely the desire to have a support
system around him. Luke was there, but others are gone for various reasons. People
were designed for community. “It is not good that man should be alone” (Gen
3:18).
We use a number of metaphors for church. Church is a hospital. Church is a
lighthouse. Church is a training center. But what the church was functioning as
from the beginning was a community. People ate together, worshipped together,
learned together, celebrated together. Church is community. As believer we must
move beyond the “Jesus and me” version of the Christian faith. Being a Christian
is not just about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is about a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ and with his body, the church. Maybe we
would fight less and listen better if we understood that. We cannot say that we
love God while we fight with our brothers. “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and
hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he
has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4:20). Let me challenge you
to take that truth seriously.
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