We live in a time where importance is given to the individual. Education seeks to develop independence amongst young people and we are all encouraged to set personal goals and aim for individual success. Individualistic expressions such as ‘self-help’, ‘unique’, ‘be the best you can’ and ‘I am worth it’ have become prevalent. Yet, there is also a deep longing to be part of a collective group with community WhatsApp and Facebook groups becoming more popular. There is a need to connect with others and feel part of something bigger.
One of the blessings we experienced during our time managing Bryn-y-groes conference centre in Bala was seeing the importance of the family of God’s people. As we are brought into communion with God himself, it is his plan that we are part of a community of his people. It is telling to note that the majority of the New Testament addresses the church and not the individual. Amongst the illustrations used are those of a body with many members, brothers and sisters within a family and a building of which Christ is the cornerstone.
Love one another
What a joy it has been to see God’s love for us reflected in the love his people have for each other! Memories of conversations and laughter as brothers and sisters enjoy time away from the busyness of life remain with us. Sometimes during a church holiday, it would be difficult to work out which child belonged to which family as they interacted so naturally and lovingly with each other in a safe place. This brotherly love has been evident in ministers meetings and pastors’ wives’ conferences as they upheld each other and carried each other’s burdens. Campers have enjoyed their time together forming deep friendships that might last for decades. We have been delighted to see officers and leaders loving the campers, praying for them and serving in a selfless manner. We can echo the psalmist’s words, ‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.’
On a personal note, we have been blessed very much in knowing that we are part of this family of believers, and being on the receiving end of this love always spurred us on in our service. It was such a privilege to be amongst God’s people and although in reality we often test each other’s patience, we should treasure each other and guard the unity of Christ’s church.
The joy of variety
Within the body of Christ’s church we are told that there are many members, each one with a different, but valued, role.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ…But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is there are many parts, but one body (1 Cor. 12:12,18-20).
The community of God’s people is unique, it is a community unlike any other. Each member is equally important and valued in God’s sight. As there is a variety in the Trinity, there is also a variety within the church.
As we welcomed a wide range of groups to events at Bryn-y-groes, we were blessed in observing this principle at work. Within different groupings there have been the leaders and those who labour in the Word. There were also the organisers who would do the ‘behind-the-scenes’ stuff to make sure that things would run smoothly. You would also have the listeners who would sit patiently at the dining table giving a brother or a sister an opportunity to share a burden or a blessing. Others saw practical needs within the group and would jump to the rescue when needed. Each group benefits from having a member with the gift of enthusiasm and positivity, or someone who shows appreciation, or someone who leads the children, or befriends the youth or even works out the bill!
When Peter refers to the church as a building, it’s good to remember that he wasn’t thinking about uniform bricks, but individual stones, tightly packed together to build strong walls. He writes that God’s people were ‘chosen by God and precious to him, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house’ (1 Pet. 2:4-5). What a joy it was for us to see this variety at work! We praise the wise God who planned it all.
Serving God’s family
As we reflect on ten years at Bryn-y-groes, we are filled with a sense of privilege that we were able to serve God’s family. It is a thing to be treasured, guarded and prayed for. At times the work was hard and physically demanding, but we have truly loved God’s people. We will remember fondly the fun of the summer camps and the important work of gospel ministry amongst young people. We will think affectionately about the older generation and their warm, happy fellowship, and love for their Saviour. We will remember the challenge we felt by seeing the desire of students to share the gospel amongst their peers. We will continue to pray for those on the front line of ministry and will miss hearing them singing praise to their Saviour with real passion. We will still be impressed by the willing help of many volunteers who came to work alongside us. We were often humbled by the fact that many people were praying faithfully for us.
We were called to serve God’s family, but as we look back, we remember that in God’s kindness, he always sustained and blessed us through his people as we served him and them. Our service gave us a new appreciation of the value of the fellowship of God’s people, and an increased love for his family. ‘Therefore encourage one another and build one another up’ (1 Thess. 5:11).