Christ in Community

          In my public vocation as a pastor, I’m privileged to do many things on behalf of the church. One of my favorites is leading the blessing rite in worship. Our congregation has the tradition of blessing and honoring the high school seniors. This past Sunday, as part of our “Youth Sunday” we blessed two young men graduating from high school.

          The rite began with a reminder of this milestone in life and that their community of faith wished to show their support as fellow believers in Jesus Christ. Then we heard words from scripture read by two other high school students. As the leader, I addressed the graduates to let them know we celebrate with them and to remind them that we will pray for them during this transition in life. Then we prayed for God’s guidance and for the Holy Spirit to go with them into the future. I asked the community if they would promise to keep the graduates and their families in their prayers and to help the graduates as need and opportunity arise. They responded with “we will.”

          In our baptismal rite, the congregation also made a similar promise “do you promise to support and pray for them in their new life in Christ?” The blessing of graduates is an opportunity to be reminded that we are a community of faith, bonded together as God’s children, no matter what our age. The blessing of graduates’ rite ends with the best part, speaking a blessing upon the graduates:

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord watch over you and keep you safe.
May the Lord guide your every step.
May you always know of our unending love for you.
Amen.

          I have only been a pastor for two years but both times I've led this rite, my voice has cracked and the emotion has arose in me at the words, “May you always know of our unending love for you.” I think it’s because these words match so closely to the authentic Christian Community that is present in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Iowa. I fight back tears saying these words because I have seen this community embrace people with a loving “welcome home” mentality not a “where have you been?” condemnation.

          As we near the end of the season of Easter and approach Pentecost Sunday, I am reminded that through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ we have an embodied faith. That we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit so we, in our lives, may also embody the faith. 1 John 1:1 reads, “We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.”

          As my worship professor stated numerous times, “God calls us individually into community.” Authentic Christian communities embody the faith and through the encouraging words, the hand shakes and pats on the back, and the weekly gathering at the table sharing bread and wine, the very presence of Christ is made known. Just like the travelers on the Road to Emmaus, some youth may not recognize Christ in their midst but someday they will look back and recognize that Christ was there truly present in the authentic Christian community of their youth.

          In what ways do you experience Christ in community?

Fitting In

            As we grow older, we often look back and share memories from growing up. Things like our family size, where we lived, and the schools we attended. What do you remember most about school? Was it a favorite teacher? Maybe it was a sport you played, a subject you enjoyed or the friends you made. Most of us have fond memories of school but we can also remember those times that were just plain awkward. You know, like standing there in your gym clothes waiting to be picked for a team. Or how about walking into the crowded lunch room searching for a familiar face, desperately looking for someone to invite you to join their lunch group.

            We often think that “fitting in” is just a middle school problem, but it’s not. Last week I attended a conference with other Lutheran pastors in my synod. The event started Sunday evening with a delicious BBQ dinner on the lawn of the hosting church, just across the street from a beautiful city park. I was a little late arriving so others were already sitting at tables eating their dinner, enjoying the weather, music and each other’s company. I got in line, filled my plate and then found myself searching the tables for a familiar face. I had a flashback to middle school and that awkward feeling of wondering where I fit in. On my way to the food line, I had seen my friend and former pastor but her table was already full. So now what? Was I brave enough to approach a table of people I didn’t know? If I stood there too long people may begin to notice and start talking about the “new girl.” Finally, I spotted a colleague from my conference and sat down at an open seat at his table. No matter how old we are, we still get uncomfortable in new situations. We like things to be familiar, we want to feel like we fit in.

            The situation of wanting to fit in with my colleagues made me think about church and being a part of a Christian community. God has created us to live in community. We have several books of the bible written by leaders like Paul, Peter and John, to the early church. These are letters of encouragement to Christian communities who are struggling with many things but generally they are just trying to figure out what it means to be the church, you could say they are feeling like they don’t “fit-in” with the world around them.

When we’ve strayed away from church or have never attended a church worship service before, it can be really hard to walk into that church building. We wonder if we’ll know anyone. Will people stare at me and know that it’s been a really long time since I’ve worshipped? Will I know what to do or the songs that they sing? These are all legitimate concerns based out of our desire to fit in. But the desire of God wanting us to be together in Christian community, can override our fears and concerns.

Yes, walking into a church for worship can be a little awkward but what I continually hear from visitors is that they felt welcomed here in this Christian community. If it’s been a while since you’ve attended church, I invite you to join us or a Christian community that is familiar to you. Here in this place, you’ll feel the love of a community that doesn’t have all the answers but finds joy in walking together in faith as we try and “fit in” to the world around us. Come join us, all are welcome! “We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:3-4)