Let’s be clear from the start… I’m an introvert. I enjoy (some might say even say I crave) solitude… time alone to pray, think and mull. Therefore, the community nature of the Body of Christ can be a stretch for me… in a “spiritual discipline” kind of way.
Our Lord and the apostles exhort us to be active in “one another-ing” (Gk: allelon). For example:
- Love one another;
- Wash one another’s feet;
- Live in harmony with one another,
- No longer pass judgment on one another;
- Welcome one another;
- Greet one another with a holy kiss;
- Care for one another;
- Become slaves to one another;
- Teach and admonish one another;
- Encourage one another;
- and many more.[i]
Suffice it to say that my introverted nature is deeply challenged by these words, and yet scripture is clear that only together are we the Body of Christ. Being the Body of Christ is not a solo enterprise, and therefore active participation in the community of faith is critical to our discipleship and our witness.
This truth is perhaps especially important to grasp now, as our denomination is presented with (yet another) opportunity to make changes to our constitution. Ordinarily I would prefer to study and pray over the issues on my own in preparation for voting. However, scripture (and our polity) challenge me to join with my brothers and sisters in this process; even – especially – with those who might see things differently than I.
Thus, I am (reluctantly) grateful to Cherokee Presbytery’s Coordinating Team for the way that they have structured our process for working through the amendments. They have allowed for various conversations to be held in around the presbytery so that we might engage these issues in the context of relationship and conversation prior to debating and voting. The hope is that we will participate in these times of conversation, in the spirit of “allelon” – that is to say that we will be:
- Listening more than talking to one another
- Seeking to understand more than to convince one another
- Open to and trusting one another’s faith, faithfulness, wisdom, and understanding.
In other words, this is an invitation for us to crawl out of our shells and join with one another as we seek God’s will for the church. Perhaps these conversations will not only grant us an opportunity to ‘bear one another’s burdens [of conviction]” (Gal. 6:2) but also to “bear with one another” (Eph. 4:2) as members of one body.
[i] You may want to go to http://bible.oremus.org/ and do a word search on NT citations for “one another” for a full list… much faster than Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, though that would do it as well.
Thoughts & Images from the Heart 