I was at a Pastor's conference recently discussing how our churches treat us, whether they allow us time off, and many other ways in which (to misquote Gilbert and Sullivan) a pastor's life in not an happy one. The conversation was rapidly descending into a colossal moaning session and while it can be helpful to get things off our chests in a safe environment (ie. where no one is likely to post a blog about it) it struck me that not only does the way many were talking not fit my experience, but also it doesn't seem to fit Jesus' expectation of what the church will be.
I happened to be sat at the back of the room but raised my hand and when called on talked about how my experience at Morden Park has been one of love and support, not just for me as a pastor but for everyone within the congregation. We are a medium sized church made up of a variety of nationalities and backgrounds but my observation over the last 3 1/2 years is that we are a group of people that love one another. As I look around the other Morden churches that I know well I see a similar experience amongst their congregations too. This phenomenon doesn't even seem confined to within congregations. We work together enough as churches that we have good relationships across the churches and are able to love and support each other there too. Indeed, just last Sunday one lady from a neighbouring church told me that her brother who has been suffering in his health for many years has now reached the stage at which the doctors are able to treat him. He, and his sister, are now a regular part of who we are praying for within the church.
As I read through John's gospel I see Jesus say to his disciples that they are to love one another and through that to demonstrate to the world that they are his followers. I haven't managed to find anywhere to say that this only applies to his immediate followers. Instead this command to love one another seems to get repeated (15 times on my count) through the New Testament and be Christ's expectation of how we would live. Indeed early church history seems to point to the love within the church being the most powerful demonstration of the love of God.
I know that at times our experience of church may not fit with Jesus' expectation. Generally this seems to come when we put ourselves in a higher position than Jesus within the church and so expect the church to fit with our own agenda rather than being conformed to God's will. So Paul tells us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought and to have the same attitude as Jesus Christ in considering others as better than ourselves (and a lot more besides).
This love is not just a feeling for each other but a decision to love, a conscious choice to care and a determination to humble ourselves. I have been so encouraged to see much of this within this church and in the wider Christian community. It isn't always easy, but it is always right.
