Maintaining A Unified Outward Focus (Audio)

Over the past years, I’ve seen large worshipping bodies diminish and I’ve experienced house-churches shutting down. Some of this reflects the societal cynicism toward Christianity. Some of it is due to changing patterns resulting from covid restrictions. Largely, however, the decline begins the minute a body—small or large—begins to look inward instead of outward.

A community is a group of people with a common unity. Unity is not preserved by gritting your teeth, trying harder, and stating, “We must stay united.” Unity is the byproduct of an outward focus—given by the Holy Spirit—where people are called to band together in order to move forward. Unity is the last thing on their minds. Achieving their purpose is. The unity transpires when preferences are left behind for the sake of living in Jesus’ love and giving it away.

Pastor Peter Steicke

Bible Readings: Philippians 2: 1-11 (NRSVA)

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™