Concern for Churches

First Family,

This week a majority of our staff is heading to Richmond to participate in the annual Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) meeting and 200th Anniversary Celebration. BGAV is a network of more than 1,300 churches that choose to cooperate for the sake of missions and ministry.  

The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:28 “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” Paul was concerned about “all the churches.” Not just the ones near his home or the ones he had a hand in starting. He cared about churches. Churches in cities like Rome and Athens and rural areas and small towns scattered around the Israeli countryside. Some of these churches were healthy and vibrant, while others were immature and divided. Paul cared about all of them.

Do we care about “all the churches” or just our own?

Do we love the whole “family of believers” as Christ does or just the congregation where we worship? A relationship with Jesus expands our circle of concern. We should seek to develop “a concern for all the churches,” being able to celebrate the victories of other churches and bear the burden when they suffer. We do not compete with other churches; we cooperate.

We mourn when one closes its doors. We will show empathy for those who labor in difficult fields and care for Christians everywhere threatened by persecution or poverty.

Ephesians 4:4-6, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” We care about the CHURCH.

Servant for HIS Glory,
Pastor Robert