The big family matters

Earlier this month I worshipped the Lord at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Belleville, Ontario. As we praised God and pondered His word, it struck me how different this assembly was from the small city church where my friends and family were gathering in Winnipeg-different style, different size, different traditions. The offering from the previous Sunday would have covered our budget for four months.

But something much more important was also strikingly evident-from beginning to end it was absolutely clear that we were worshipping the same God, learning from the same Scriptures, seeking the same Jesus and walking in the same Spirit. It reminded me that any Christian’s proper community extends far beyond her own congregation; that our family is much, much bigger than our home.

And once again I was reminded of the remarkable unity that is ours in Christ Jesus, and saddened by how often we ignore our natural extended family, or fail to embrace them as family members at all. Good relationships-unity on essentials; charity at all times-among the different bodies of believers is God’s will for His Church and is an essential component of positive Christian witness. And good communications is key to developing and maintaining good relationships.

That’s a major reason why we’ve been publishing ChristianWeek for more than 17 years-to serve the people of God in Canada with vigorous religious journalism committed to historic Christianity, and to nurture among us a greater sense of common cause. Every two weeks leaders across the country are learning more about how God is at work throughout our land, and getting to know their fellow believers in different regions, different denominations and different situations. We build each other up and learn from each other.

A similar vision drives our efforts to establish ChristianCurrent newspapers for churchgoers in cities and towns throughout Canada, papers they can pick up to read about the people of God in their own locale. Three communities in Ontario currently have their own ChristianCurrent. And my hometown of Winnipeg is next in line. We expect to begin telling the stories of God and His people in southern Manitoba a little later this fall.

Your prayers are welcome as we work to create communications vehicles that will inform, encourage and inspire Christian community.