Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Tammy and I have just returned from a quick visit to Europe where I attended our UK Board meeting. I also spoke in one of our London churches where over 100 were in attendance. It was a delight to fellowship with them.
From London, Tammy and I accompanied James and Shirley Henderson to a conference with our French-speaking members. It was held in Alsace, a beautiful part of France known for picturesque villages and fine wines. We spent time there with over 100 of our French brothers and sisters (see picture below). Several asked me to convey warm regards and love for all our churches.
Our visit to Alsace also gave us the opportunity to renew our friendship with Gerard and Claire Claude. Gerard has faithfully served in the French ministry for many years. He also takes care of our congregations in the French-speaking part of Belgium. As Gerard drove us to the meeting place, we passed through the town of Colmar, where, to my surprise, I saw a familiar sight. I am sure you will recognize it (see picture at right). Colmar is the birthplace of Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty. This replica was dedicated in 2004 to mark the 100th anniversary of his death. As you probably know, the original statue in New York City was presented to the US by France to mark the friendship of the two nations. The iconic statue has become more than that. She has become a beacon of hope for all who desire to live in freedom and friendship.
Sadly, that is still a dream for most people. In this dog-eat-dog world of ours, relationships at all levels, international, local and personal, are often based on convenience and self-interest rather than genuine love. That is one reason why I appreciate our small, but truly international denomination. I am privileged to count among my close friends people from so many different backgrounds and cultures.
As you read this, Tammy and I, along with Gary and Cathy Deddo, are in Australia, attending some conferences. I can remember when international travel was an exciting part of my job. Now, as I have gotten older, and travel has become less and less glamorous, I do not look forward to the “getting there” part like I used to. However “being there” makes it worthwhile.
Gary has remarked that our conferences tend to be more like “class reunions.” Dustin and Rachel Lampe, who recently became part of the pastoral team serving one of our congregations in Cincinnati Ohio, were astonished to see how long our members stay around long after the formal part of services is over. That kind of fellowship has always been a part of our tradition, but perhaps we do not realize how unusual it is.
Never underestimate the value of our relationships. The apostle John, above all the other writers of the Bible, tells us that within the oneness of God, there is a relationship. John explains the nature of God by teaching that God is love. Jesus explicitly told his disciples that those who have seen him have seen God. In other words, that Father and Son have a relationship that is that intimate—one in the other and vice versa. We apprehend this intimacy even though our limited human minds can’t fully comprehend it. As Paul reminds us, the mystery of godliness is great.
However, we can begin to appreciate this mystery as we learn to live the way of genuine, outgoing love. This is why Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another.” Then he added, “Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34, 35). The best beacon of hope is not a statue in New York harbor—however magnificent. It is men and women, from all nations and all walks of life, who strive to live their lives guided by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate genuine, unselfish and Christ-like love.
1 John 4:20-21 tells us, “Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also” (NRSV). When we realize the length and breadth of what this is saying, it is revolutionary. This is no mere teaching of a simple universal and general truth and we must not allow familiarity with these words to blunt their impact.
Jesus embodied a love in his own life that does not follow the patterns of love as we might conceive of them. Jesus brings together love with truth, love with repentance, love with acceptance and transformation, love with discipline yet exuberant generosity, love with unity and difference. Jesus links love with faith and hope in the living God. The love of God seen in Jesus is no ordinary or simply ideal form of love, but a particular love that sanctifies and transforms all other types of love. Receiving this love and then passing it on, in all its distinctness, will stand out not only from denials of love but also from other notions of love.
If we Christians would more fully embrace this love and then share it with others, the world would have a more vital witness to Jesus, its Lord and Savior. Jesus did not say, “You will be known as my disciples because of the day you gather for worship,” -or- “Because of the name of your church,” -or- “Because you think you have figured out picky points of prophecy.” Rather, he said, “Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This is why I thank God for our international fellowship, and the many friends I have around the world.
Your brother in Christ,
Joseph Tkach
Thanks, Joe for reminding us what true fellowship is, it is interesting to note that the original word translated “righteousness” is from the Hebrew as a term for “relationship”–this is from the book “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes” by Kenneth E. Bailey. Seems it’s more about relationship than morality.
God Bless you, Mon Ami,
Walt B.
Dear Joe,
I particularly enjoyed this weekly update focusing on the importance of relationships. From the very beginning we read in the Bible that “it is not good that the man should be alone”. That is certainly an indication that we have been created to be social beings. We can only really live up to our intended purpose in community. The trends in the western world often reflect self-centered individualism and nationalism. Speaking as someone who has been involved with our international fellowship I am very grateful to have been able to make so many friends around the world. There is much we can learn from one another while appreciating also the differences. Growing together in Christ and in the bond of the Spirit is a wonderful journey. I am proud to be part of GCI.
Blessings,
Santiago