Gracepoint Ministries' Readings

“A Family Affair: What would the church look like if it put we before me?”

by Joseph H. Hellerman

Christianity Today, May 2010, pp.42-46 [first two paragraphs are excerpted below; full article is available on-line for download at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/article_print.html?id=87899]

“Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. Persons who remain connected with their brothers and sisters in the local church almost invariably grow in self-understanding. And they mature in their ability to relate in healthy ways to God and to fellow human beings. This is especially the case for those courageous Christians who stick it out through the messy process of interpersonal conflict. Long-term relationships are the crucible of genuine progress in the Christian life. People who stay grow.

People who leave do not grow. We all know persons consumed with spiritual wanderlust. We never get to know them well because they cannot seem to stay put. They move from church to church, avoiding conflict or ever searching for a congregation that will better satisfy their felt needs. Like trees repeatedly transplanted from soil to soil, these spiritual nomads fail to put down roots, and they seldom experience lasting, fruitful growth in their Christian lives.”  [continue to read Dr. Hellerman's article at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/article_print.html?id=87899]

Joseph H. Hellerman is professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. He is the author of When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus’ Vision for Authentic Christian Community (B&H Academic).