In all but the rarest cases, one is too small a number to produce greatness.
Warren Bennis
On September 3, 2007, Steve Fossett took off in a single-engine plane from a private airstrip in western Nevada. Several hours later, the record-setting aviator, who was first to fly solo nonstop around the world in a balloon, went missing. Rescuers would eventually search almost 20,000 square miles looking for the downed plane or any sign of Fossett. For a month, two dozen planes flew over the rugged Nevada landscape without success. It wasn’t until a year later that a hiker found Fossett’s ID card in the mountains and searchers confirmed the crash site.
While no one knows what led to this unfortunate tragedy, one notable failure stands out: Fossett never filed a flight plan. No one knew where he was going, so no one knew where to send help when he was in trouble. The pilot was all alone.
Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 reminds us of the danger of living solo:
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless— a miserable business! Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
God never intended people to live in isolation, but to live in community. After declaring all of creation “good,” God said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18) and made a suitable partner for Adam who would share in his work, be a friend to lift him up, help keep him warm and share in his struggle. Two were better than one in the Garden of Eden. Two has been better since that time. The biblical community expressed in the first family is a pattern of the biblical community intended in the family of God, the church, today.
Once a person BELONGS to Jesus Christ, we want to help them BELONG to community, enjoying the benefits of life together so that they do not fly solo in their spiritual life.
Biblical community may be described many different ways. One ministry leader defines it as “The people of God doing the work of God together.” Another leader states, “People in relationship to Jesus Christ and one another who are living the Christian life together as partners with God in His mission.” No matter how people define community, the Bible clearly underlines the importance of it.
The first biblical community is modeled in Acts 2. It is significant that Peter preached a gospel sermon and the church grew to 3000 people in one day (vv. 1-41). Later, Peter miraculously healed an invalid who began to walk and the news spread throughout the region.
The church was making a great impact outwardly. But, what was happening inwardly was the fuel for their ministry. Notice Acts 2:42-47,
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Though the Apostle Peter was in the spotlight as preacher and miracle worker, he was part of a collective community. It was all the Christians frequently meeting together to grow, learn, pray, worship and give together that made Peter and others so effective. It was in biblical community that Peter was developed and strengthened and gained vision for the work Jesus called him to do.
This is the common model found throughout the Bible. Effective ministers are supported by supportive communities. Moses was helped by Aaron, Hur, Joshua and Caleb. King David was surrounded by a corps of “mighty men” (2 Samuel 23:8-39). In the book of Nehemiah, the people of God rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem by standing side by side with other families. Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs, not alone, to do the work of ministry (Luke 10:1). Even the capable Apostle Paul lists dozens of people he calls “dear friends,” “fellow workers” and “family” in Romans 16. In his book Organizing Genius, author Warren Bennis writes,
We cling to the myth of the Lone Ranger, the romantic idea that great things are usually accomplished by a larger-than-life individual working alone…But, in a global society…collaboration is not simply desirable, it is inevitable. In all but the rarest cases, one is too small a number to produce greatness. (p. 2)
God accomplishes His purposes through individuals. But, usually, such individuals are surrounded by a vital, biblical community. Your health, as a Christian will, in part, be based on your healthy connection to community. As we can see from Acts 2:42-47 mentioned above, there are several personal and spiritual benefits of community:
COMMUNITY PRINCIPLE #1
In Community, We Hear and See Truth Taught and Proved
As Luke records the first Christians meeting together, he states, “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” (v. 42). We should remember that “they” refers to the newly converted crowd of 3000 (see v. 41). None of them had walked with Jesus during the previous three years. They had not heard His teachings firsthand. They likely understood very little about the crucifixion and resurrection. The church at this time was a group of immature Christians who were just beginning their spiritual journey.
So, on regular occasion they came together to listen, learn, think and talk about spiritual truth. Not only did they grow under the apostles’ teaching, they also had opportunity to observe new spiritual ideas being lived out through others in the community.
When Christians gather with other Christians, they can talk about God’s Word in a way that fits their reality. In other words, they get to discuss how truth works in their world, not just the world. Rather than just hear lofty principles preached on Sunday, they get to discover how spiritual truth applies to their specific life circumstances. Not only that, they get to witness those truths at work in the lives of others as they “observe one another’s conduct” (2 Timothy 3:10).
I have learned about generosity by hearing how my friends have demonstrated rich generosity. I have become a better parent by watching how godly adults in my community parent their children. I have learned how to “consider others more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3) by observing my spiritual mentor take extra time in conversation with someone in need. I could have heard a sermon, read a book or attended a conference addressing these life skills. But, when I hear and see truth taught and proved among “my people,” it inspires me to live the same way.
COMMUNITY PRINCIPLE #2
In Community, We Discover the Blessing of Give and Take
Verse 42 adds that the Christians “devoted themselves to the fellowship.” Though the description of the first Christian community describes eating and meeting together, the Greek word koinonia means much more. The word means “to share.” And the early disciples experienced sharing in a radical way.
Luke writes, “All the believers were together and had everything in common…” (vv. 44-45). According to the needs of the group, some would share what they owned in order to supply the needs of others. Chapter 4 gives a specific example. A disciple named Joseph sold a piece of property and gave the money to the apostles to be distributed among other members who had little. Not surprisingly, the community gave Joseph the nickname Barnabas, which translates “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36-37), because he encouraged so many through his generosity.
Even Paul wasn’t above receiving help from others. He thanked the Christians in Philippi for being partners in the Gospel with him (Philippians 1:3) and sharing in his troubles (4:14). When he wrote to the Christians in Rome, he said, “I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:10-12). Paul hoped to strengthen the young Christians, but he also hoped to be encouraged by them. Give and take.
At Central Bible Church, we have been fortunate enough to see and experience this blessing of give and take at work in biblical communities throughout our congregation. Christians support one another when one falls ill and needs others to prepare meals or take care of everyday tasks. Christians have finished home repairs for a brother who was suddenly unemployed. Others helped a family in their community move across town. In my own community, other adults have been trusted counselors for our children in life decisions. Sometimes, the blessing is less tangible such as emotional and spiritual support or the strong faith of one member encouraging another to endure hardship. We have prayed with one another, grieved with one another, celebrated with one another and challenged one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). Sometimes we offer a blessing, sometimes we receive one.
This mutual sharing makes a church stronger. On the one hand, members grow to unselfishly give themselves to others. On the other hand, each member becomes vulnerable enough to express their need and receive loving assistance. This give and take helps the church grow from mere acquaintances to deep and abiding relationships.
I once heard a fable that illustrated this blessing. A man spoke with the Lord about heaven and hell. "I will show you Hell," said the Lord. And they went into a room which had a large pot of stew in the middle. The smell was delicious and around the pot sat people who were famished and desperate. All were holding spoons with very long handles which reached to the pot, but because the handles of the spoons were longer than their arms, it was impossible to get the stew into their mouths. Their suffering was terrible.
"Now I will show you Heaven," said the Lord, and they went into an identical room. There was a similar pot of stew and the people had the same identical spoons, but they were well nourished, talking and happy. At first the man did not understand. "It is simple," said the Lord. "You see, as family, they have learned to feed each other."
This is the uniqueness of biblical community.
COMMUNITY PRINCIPLE #3
In Community, We Experience the Joy of Authentic Spiritual Relationships
In his book True Spirituality: Becoming a Romans 12 Christian, author and pastor Chip Ingram comments on research conducted by Robert Putnam in 2000 where he declared that “loneliness is America’s new epidemic.” Ingram adds,
Belonging is a God-given human need. We all need and want the security of belonging to a family, belonging to a group, belonging to a team, belonging with people who need us just like we need them in a healthy and productive way. The fragmentation of the family and the rapid growth in technology have made people more mobile and isolated than ever before. The aching need to belong is at an all-time high.
The early Christians belonged to each other, because they first belonged to Christ.
They met together, dined together, worshipped together and enjoyed being with each other frequently. Their relationships were described as “sincere.” The word literally translates as “simple” or “single-minded.” That is, their friendships were genuine, real, and authentic. Those who were formerly strangers became the best of friends.
This is different than having “church friends,” as my colleague, Dr. Tom Bulick explains. A person can attend church and have a handful of people they see at church every week and associate with around church Bible studies, worship services or meetings. But, outside of church, they have no other contact with these church friends. Biblical community consists of more than those casual, weekly acquaintances. Community is the gathering of friends who you count on. They are the people you call when you are in need, the people you wish to invite to dinner and the ones you would want at your bedside in the hospital.
A year into my pastoral ministry at Central Bible Church, I witnessed the power of authentic relationships. The son of a prominent leader in our church was involved in a tragic automobile accident. As he was rushed into surgery, word spread throughout the family’s community. Within an hour, the hospital waiting room was flooded with dozens of people who came to support their friends. Over the next few days and weeks, as the young man endured additional surgeries, the amputation of one leg and a difficult recovery, the waiting room stayed full. There was never a time when community was not present to pray, support and help.
On one of my trips to the hospital to visit with the family, I was introduced to a lady whose husband was the victim of a shooting and was near death. She told me that she was a Christian and, in fact, used to attend our church many years ago. However, she and her family left the church and never connected in community with other Christians after that time. She had no spiritual friends who would walk with her through this most traumatic time in her life.
At that hospital, the contrast between living in community and living alone was startling. On one side of the waiting room were emotional support, prayers, meals, and acts of kindness from true friends. On the other side was a Christian who had no one on whom she could depend. It was a reminder to me that authentic, lifelong relationships are forged in community.
COMMUNITY PRINCIPLE #4
In Community, We Demonstrate the Power of the Gospel
Luke notes that, as the early Christians met together, they enjoyed the favor of outsiders and the Lord “added to their number daily those who were being saved” (v. 47). Michael Green, in his book Evangelism in the Early Church, observes that the remarkable way in which Christians loved each other and their neighbors affirmed the transformative power of the Gospel.
They made the grace of God credible by a society of love and mutual care which astonished pagans and was recognized as something entirely new. It lent persuasiveness to the claim that the new age had dawned in those who were giving it flesh. The message of the kingdom became more than an idea. A new human community had sprung up and looked very much like the new order to which the evangelist had pointed. Here love was given daily expression; reconciliation was actually occurring; people were no longer divided into Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, male and female. In this community the weak were protected, the stranger welcomed. People were healed; the poor and dispossessed were cared for and found justice. Almost everything was shared. Joy abounded and ordinary lives were filled with praise.
Biblical communities model unconditional love, sacrifice, mutual concern, kindness, impartiality, generosity, faith and blessing—all virtues rooted in the Gospel of Jesus. As the world looks on, outsiders will “know we are Christians by our love for one another” (John 13:35) and will catch a glimpse of Christ’s love for them, through us.