The Cooperation of Congregations

 

“And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”

Colossians 4:16-18 ESV

 

We’re often taught, in the church, about the spiritual gifts. We learn how the Spirit of God has given to each believer his grace, or his gifts, that are to be used in his service and for the blessing of the body of Christ. And we’re encouraged, in this way, that no matter how significant or insignificant our gifts may seem, we all have an essential role to play in the body of Christ.

 

It's only infrequently taught, however, that this same principle applies to congregations. We are all, after all, part of the Church. We are all part of the body of Christ. And, in this way, one congregation can be a blessing to another.

 

As I read the above passage, three of the Fundamental Principles of the AFLC (the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations) come to mind:

 

The seventh principle says: “A free congregation gladly accepts the mutual assistance which congregations can give one another in the work for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.”

 

The eighth principle reads: “Such assistance consists partly in the mutual sharing of spiritual gifts among the congregations through conferences, exchange visits, lay activities, etc., whereby congregations are mutually edified, and partly in the voluntary and Spirit-prompted cooperation of congregations for the accomplishing of such tasks as exceed the ability of the individual congregation.”

 

And, finally, the ninth principle tells us: “Among such tasks may be mentioned specifically the training of pastors, distribution of Bibles and other Christian literature, home missions, foreign missions, Jewish missions, deaconess homes, children’s homes and other work of mercy.”

 

We see this at work in the words of Paul above, as he calls the Colossian church to share Paul’s letter with the Laodiceans. We see it as he encourages them to read his words that he sent to the Laodiceans. And we see it again as he instructs the believers in Colossae to encourage a certain individual, named Archippus, to fulfill the ministry that he’d received in the Lord.

 

In this way, each congregation was able to serve as a blessing to the other. In this way, an individual believer was encouraged to be a blessing to others. And in this way, not only was one individual congregation edified. The Church as a whole was built up and strengthened.

 

It’s essential, as individual believers, to consider the role we can play in building up our own congregation. However, it’s equally essential for us to consider how our congregation can be a blessing to another. It’s equally essential to consider not only how we (as an individual or a congregation) might be built up, but also how the Church might be strengthened.