Together
Romans 12:4-5 (NIV) says, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
As pastors, we understand the significance of the Body of Christ. We know that each person in our congregation is uniquely created with divine gifts. Our job is to recognize those gifts and mobilize people to act as one body united in purpose. There’s something incredibly powerful about believers realizing they are part of something bigger than themselves.
Recently we have heard numerous stories of churches coming together to make a difference in their community. One of those churches is Willmar AG, who last year started a ministry for single moms. They ended the year with a Christmas party and surprised each mom with a $400 check!
I also think of Heights Church who recently started a coffee shop in their neighborhood and One Reason Church who launched a new church in conjunction with a dance studio. I can’t wait to hear the reports from Rochester AG’s Christmas production and the interactive Walk Through Christmas experience organized by The Waters Church in Sartell. These are all examples of churches coming together to reach their cities for the cause of Christ.
It always begins in the local church, and it extends beyond our own communities. We know stories of churches collaborating with other churches to accomplish something together for the Kingdom of Christ.
Recently River Valley Church partnered with Cedar Valley Church to fund a new furnace for Trinity Tabernacle in Minneapolis. Multiple churches came together to support the Tree Top Farm ministry in the Eastern section. Pastors without staff connect throughout the year at various cadres. Dozens of Chi Alpha pastors are leading ministries on our college campuses every day. None of this would happen without the body of Christ coming together.
I believe we are witnessing the beginning of a powerful move of God, not only in our state, but throughout the world. It happens when ministries like Bridging the Gap partner with Homestead Church in Farmington to organize outreaches for hundreds of kids in Panama. It happens when student ministries across Minnesota give over $270,605.17 together to Speed the Light in a four-week span. It happens when we choose to come together.
Psalm 133 (NKJV) says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.”
God commands his blessing wherever unity is at work. A phrase that has been resonating in my spirit is, “Anything can happen.” When we dream beyond our own needs, beyond the walls of our own church, to the mission of reaching the lost, anything can happen! When we are sensitive to God’s Spirit and the churches and leaders of Minnesota come together as one…Anything can happen!
-Mark Dean
