For too long
Christians have seen congregations form and disband because of divisive
differences. These differences often define a “crisis of community.” With God’s
help, there is only one way to defeat this strategy that Satan has so often
successfully employed over the centuries. When Christians focus on their
“shared commonality” this helps create the practical path of the Spirit’s power
to create unity among God’s people.
This “shared commonality” is made up
of emotional bonds, like-mindedness, and symbols [Wendell Willis, (2011-2012).
“The Erosion of Community: A Challenge to the Church.” Christian Studies 25: 11.;
Arthur P. Cohen, (1985). The
Symbolic Construction of Community. Chichester, England: Ellis Horwood,
Ltd., page 20ff.]
Emotional
bonds come from a deep heart of love for one another. Jesus promoted this
kind of relationship with the following: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples, if you love one another” [John 13:34, 35].
Like-mindedness
comes from a deep heart of respect and deference for one another. Paul says it
this way: “In your relationships with
one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” [Philippians 2:4]. The mindset of Jesus
was always thinking of others first, giving up self and claims of superiority.
Symbols
help bring to visual and experiential level what the heart most embraces with
others. This is behind Paul’s questions: “16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we
give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that
we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many,
are one body, for we all share the one loaf” [1 Corinthians 10:16-17].
As
Christian leaders we model these three things: a deep heart of love for others
with strong emotional bonds, a like-mindedness for others with respect and
deference, and helping others to experience appropriate symbols that reflect
the common faith.
I
remember years ago that a friend of mine reminded me that Christian leaders are
living symbols of unity among God’s people. This is why it is so critical for
each one of us to intentionally embody our “shared commonality.” This gets at
the heart of authentic, transformational leadership. What is most real and
life-changing is what we desperately need to be modeling for others. Anyone can
boss. Not everyone can embody!
May
God give us a strong, shared commonality that finds its expression in the
emotional bonds of deep love, a like-mindedness of Jesus, and participation in
common symbols of our faith. What richness and depth this commonality brings to
our relationships in Christ!
In Christian love, Curtis
