A Ministry of Presence

Being part of an authentic community requires presence!  Presence means we show up, contribute, and participate.  To be present is to allow ourselves to be held accountable as we hold others accountable.  It means that we genuinely care about the group, team, organization, or community, and we take our part seriously.  Significant lapses in community usually translate:

• A lack of perceived need for/benefit from being in community
•  Ignorance of the importance of community and how it works
•  Apathy/general disinterest
•  Selfishness-“What’s in this for me?”
• A commitment of convenience
• Perceived problems with the community, or someone within it

I notice something about the new community in Acts that Jesus birthed, commissioned and blessed before he ascended to heaven.  There was an incredible and profound sense of presence:

·      All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer (1:14)

·      ….they were all together in one place (2:1)

·      And at this sound the multitude came together (2:6)

·      And all who believed were together and had all things in common (2:44)

·      And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes (2:46)

·      ….the place in which they were gathered together was shaken…(4:31)

·      Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and one soul (4:32)

·      And they were all together in Solomon’s portico.. (5:12b)

      

      Presence was practiced and valued by the Early Church.  It was less about individual needs and personal schedules (no time for God this week) and more about what God was doing in and through the body at large. 

Biblical community requires commitment.  We commit to the Body of Christ because we realize it is based on God’s grace-gift and commitment to us through Jesus Christ.  Active participation in the Body enables us to grow, mature, serve, and minister to others in the name of Christ.  We realize we are called to be part of something that’s bigger than ourselves.  The byproduct of our presence and participation is comfort, support (physical and spiritual), unconditional love, and the joy of being part of something so important to God.

Unfortunately, many practice the ministry of disappearance, until they need something from God, or His church.  Their level of participation is based solely on their “what have you done for me lately?” meter.  They don’t participate to give and grow.  They participate to get.  Pretty soon their participation is not viewed through the lens of gratitude for what God has done and obedience to His call.  It is based solely on feelings.  Aren’t you glad Jesus didn’t quit at Calvary because He was tired, had a full schedule, or just didn’t feel like it?  I’m glad His ministry of presence was marked by faithfulness to God’s desire.  May it be so, may it be so for us!