What does family mean to you?  Mom, Dad and a couple kids?  In-laws, grandparents, siblings and cousins?

There’s a certain connectedness we have with our family.  We have “family histories” and “family traditions.”  (And sometimes even family secrets.)  When things start to go crazy, when life gets scary, we know our family will be there for us.  They have no choice… they’re family.

One of the words used to describe the church (the followers of Jesus) is family.

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:17

Sometimes word used has the idea of “brotherhood,” and more often, the idea of “people who share your home,” or your “household.”  Is that how we think about our church?  Maybe.  Sometimes.

• Sometimes we think like a consumer. “What am I going to gain from this investment of time, money, etc.?  Is this sufficiently meeting my needs?”  Oddly enough, we would never think about family like that.
• Sometimes we can think like a project manager. “I’ve got to check this box off and move on to the next project on my list.”  Again, not how we think about family.
• Sometimes we can even think like a PR specialist. “What will other people think about my relationship with this organization?  Will they be impressed?”  Totally not how we think about family.
• Sometimes we might even think like an investment manager. “I’m going to participate now so that I’ll have something to withdraw later when I need it.”  I think you’re seeing the pattern.

What if we could think more “familially” about church?  What if we thought about our relationship and engagement and investment along family lines?  What if we thought about those seated next to us or parked next to us or serving next to us as brothers and sisters.  What if our engagement was that of members of the same family.  What if we joyfully shared family histories, and family traditions?

Because when things start to go crazy, we need to know our family will be there for us.  For all of us.  If God is our Heavenly Father, then we have no choice.  We’re family.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  Galatians 6:10

-Pastor Mark

P.S. If you want more info about how we work together as family, check out our Covenant Partnership info here.