Growth through Transforming Community

I love the account of the early Church community recorded in Acts 2:

“1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  44 All who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 They were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Daily they attended the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

The Apostles Creed states that we believe in the communion of the saints, and the early Church was a brilliant portrait of that communion.  It almost sounds surreal, especially during these days of a global pandemic combined with our Western individualistic mindset.  When I read about the early Church, it makes my heart ache.

So, what do we do with heartache?  At the beginning of COVID, I bemoaned my isolation, my singleness, and my inability to meet up with friends and family.   Even though by nature I’m an introvert, I realized that isolation was not healthy on any level.  I longed to draw closer to the heart of God, which I could partly do on my own.  However, there is an aspect to growing in Christ which can only be satisfied within community.

Lately, I’ve learned that growth comes from gathering with people of differing backgrounds, experiences and yes, even different faiths.  It’s a growing and thrilling wonder to learn about how others think, feel and experience God.

I began looking for the good in others, even those with whom I disagree, which is counter-intuitive to how I was raised and, in some respects, what I was taught at church.  Think about the freedom that comes from not being so tightly wound up in the idea that everyone needs to land on the same page to be in community.  I wanted to be engaged with others in their search for the genuine thing, meaning an authentic interchange of thoughts and ideas.  I had a deep desire to delve into the Word of God with other Treasure Seekers and learn from Him and them.  I longed to discover my true self, that I was God’s beloved, but I also wanted others to help me develop the discipline of letting love and grace be the dominant voice in my life.

So, I prayed, and asked God and then met with a friend who I discovered had a similar desire.  We re-connected after many years of knowing one another which was truly a God-thing.  As we prayed, we asked God to put the names of other women on our hearts that we should invite to our community.  We call ourselves Treasure Seekers based on the verse found in Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord God of Israel, who summons you by name.”  We began with a study called Life Together in Christ, Experiencing Transformation in Community by Ruth Haley Barton.  Due to COVID, we had to meet by Zoom.  We have women in many age categories. We have divorced, widows, single, married with kids at home and empty nesters.  We have career women, women in ministry, stay-at-home mom’s and retirees and we don’t all attend the same church, and you know what … it’s awesome!

When we think of the results that were seen within the community of the early Church, shouldn’t we long for that?  The people were together, sharing and doing life in community.  They gave glory to God and were well-liked by their neighbours. The fruit of that growth was that the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved!

Growth will come to us and the Church when we live into our shared identity in Christ Jesus and show others our love and care for one another and the world.  I am so thankful for the growth I’ve experienced through the authentic sharing of Scripture and hearts with my Treasure Seeking friends.  I pray that God will increase our growth as we lean in and learn from Him and each other.

About the Author

Susan is a simple gal who enjoys simple pleasures.  Her hobbies include biking, hiking, writing, reading and photography. She loves to encourage others.  Her passion is to be used by God as He directs.

She joined the staff of the Associated Gospel Churches in March 2004 in the role of Church Relations Coordinator. Susan has two delightful daughters, one wonderful son-in-law and a handful of soul sisters. 

She considers herself blessed!  “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23