Connection

Church to church, believer to believer, within each area and across the Region we are stronger together than apart.  This requires an ongoing commitment to one another, which cuts against the grain of our independent tendencies.

It also calls for a renewed appreciation for the biblical value of caring for one another.  So often, we read the “one another” commands as extending only to the borders of our local church family, rather than reading them in light of the concern we are to have for “all the saints.” This church-to-church concern is reflected in Paul’s closing words to the Roman believers, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the churches of Christ send greetings.” (Romans 16:16)

Also, there is evidence for this connection between churches in the image of Jesus standing among the seven golden lampstands in the first chapter of Revelation.  In his right hand he holds the “seven stars” which “are the angels of the churches.” (Rev. 1:20)  He doesn’t hold just one star, he holds seven, all at the same time.  Each church is bound to the others through their connection with their Head, Jesus Christ.