“Howdy, Pardner!” From America’s ‘cowboy’ days,

this commonly repeated phrase echoes a cry for community. Whether by choice or necessity, most people on the frontier lived as loners. Yet, they knew they couldn’t settle the wilderness alone. They needed other people; they craved community. So do we. We are better together. So, “Howdy, Pardner”.

Paul wrote the Philippians, I always pray for you . . . with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ . . . . (Philippians 1:5, NLT) The word translated, “partners” is koinonia from which we also get “fellowship”. Fellowship is our common life—our shared experience—in Christ. Fellowship is community. Community: what we share in common. Community: what brings us together. Community: our common unity; our shared life in Christ.

In Philippians 1:3-11, we discover both the focus and purpose of our partnership—our fellowship, our community. Our focus is the Gospel, God’s Good News. The Good News is Jesus; the climax of our salvation is becomimg completely like Him. Jesus is the one who produces the fruit of righteousness (salvation) in our lives. Jesus is what we share in common. Every other connection (friendship, professional relationship, 3 rd cousin once removed) pales in comparison. Jesus brings us together. We all hold different opinions and personal preferences; but, we can live together based on our shared commitment to Christ. We are Partners in Jesus.

The purpose of our partnership is two-fold: to strengthen the community within our church family; and, influence the community around our church facilities. Paul prays for his readers (including us), that our love for each other will overflow more and more and that we will keep on growing in knowledge. We deepen the community within our church family by growing in knowledge. Not by getting smarter about love; but, by getting better at loving. This “knowledge” is experiential from practical experience, rather than information from a theoretical education. Paul is not talking about ‘love’ in words, but, love in action. Putting our love for each other into action deepens community; our partnership grows stronger, our fellowship grows sweeter. That’s the ‘inward’ purpose of our partnership.

The second purpose of our partnership is to influence the community around us. This is our outward purpose. We are partners in spreading the Good News about Christ. The more we love Jesus, the more we give His love away. The more we love each other, the more we share that love with others. As we give our faith away, we share in a special blessing from God. Philemon 1:6 says, I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. There is a level of Christian living we experience only by influencing others for Christ—by ‘giving away our faith’. And, we are called to do this in practical, tangible ways—demonstrating real love to people outside our fellowship. That’s the goal of ‘Compassionate Ministry Projects’ through Sunday school during 40 Days of Community.

As partners, our focus is Jesus; and, our purpose is to love every person in the Family and outside the family. By doing this, we bring much glory and praise to God. We experience what WE are on Earth for. Be discover we are better together!

Community minded,

Pastor Mark