“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him — a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” –Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 {ESV}
Did you watch the Lone Ranger growing up? That pillar of black and white television hit the screen in 1949 and kept streaming out amply heroic goodness for 220 more episodes. Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels were some mellow but macho dudes who had an uncanny ability to get the bad guy in the nick of time. They were men with chests and I spent many summers soaking up reruns of Tonto and his Quimo Sabe in front of the little television in my Lilburn home. How big of an impression was made on me as I sat in my house alone at 7 & 8 years old during the summer months, watching the masked man upon his white horse. He was a tough dude who had one friend and nobody else holding him back or slowing him down. I somehow thought to myself that living life riding solo would be the ideal; nothing but me and the setting sun! Wow, how….foolish.
Living life as a maverick makes for great television but lousy Christianity. We’ve seen the trending from the time of our nation’s conception go from being founded upon God to founded upon nationalism to the current foundation of individualism. We are a country of me’s and the resulting dysfunction is impossible to deny. The local church has now become the post-modern alternative for many who profess love for Jesus Christ whereas it once was regarded as the highest of prioritized places in a community. I’m not that old but I can still remember a time in the Southeast when it was a slight stigma on a person or family who disregarded a weekly gathering with the saints. Today, many scrunch up their noses when you tell them that you love your church and reply with something akin to “Whaaaaaattttt?” Bewilderment is now paired with an awkward patronization for some who get up early on sleep-in Sunday and journey down to the building where the Christians meet to pray, sing, love, serve, give and grow. In the last few generations we’ve seen people holding their Lone Ranger masks as metaphors for life more so than their bibles. Yep, we’re not in Kansas anymore and an undeniable tide has turned leading people to a diminished commitment to the local church.
Does your church have a covenant?
Most local assemblies do and they are typically worded as a commitment between individuals who covenant together in spiritual oneness for the purposes of God’s Kingdom. Now here’s the follow up question – is it really a covenant to you? Church membership is not really a satisfactory representation of what is to be understood concerning local assemblies of saints. I have memberships in a couple of business places but my covenant with Meadow is one of only two I have in this life. I made a covenant with Amy on November 22, 1997. I told her that I belonged to her and that I would live for her. We covenanted with one another in selflessness and intentional prioritizing of one another. We have weathered storms and endured each others’ failings and weaknesses. We have chosen to love one another at times when the emotions associated with love here hiking somewhere in the Himalayas. Our covenant anchors us to one another and was made for the purpose of keeping us in oneness when lesser forces tried to lead us away. We do not believe this covenant can ever be broken. I recognize that a church covenant is not exactly the same thing as a marriage covenant but I emphasize that neither is it a commitment that can be walked away from in a no-fault divorce mindset. Our covenant with our church is not to be dissolved for selfish purposes or even whims of preference. The blessings are enjoyed over the long haul and through the conflicts and struggles. When we covenant…we apply our honor to our word and commit to an ongoing direction with others.
Rosemary has been a member of the church I pastor for close to 50 years. She has taught the same 1st & 2nd grade class for nearly all of those years. Some of her original students are now adults approaching early retirement. She has endured lean and loveless times at Meadow. She has outlived seven pastors and is currently running with number eight. She has experienced heartbreaks too many to number. Rosemary has participated in any and every ministry except deacon and elder (she would probably have outshined some who have hold those positions in her stead!). This dear woman has survived scandals in the church, leaders who have let her down, people who have joined, made a ruckus and left trouble in their wake…and never knew Rosemary’s good and longstanding name. She has thrived and survived where others have spit and sputtered. Rosemary has endured through every disaster and disappointment that a church member could ever know. Last Sunday I lingered outside her room and she was passing out construction paper to two small children who can barely write their own names. She is here every Sunday that her body allows which is about 99% of the time. Rosemary just pours Jesus into children year after year and refuses to let anything drive her out or break her down. She never seeks applause while deserving it more than any of us. I promise that in my sixteen years at Meadow I have never heard an unkind word spoken of her (or by he,r for that matter). She’s a hero for anyone who lacks one.
By the way, Rosemary doesn’t own a maverick’s mask. While others make a stand for things of no consequence, she stands before Jesus, eager to serve. She stands with the church of her youth and robs us all of our excuses of why we just have to give up on people. In the end she will likely stand in glory and receive a crown of endurance which many of us will never even get to slide a finger across. Think long and hard with me this week about your covenant with your church. Think about the impulse of selfishness which whispers in your ear that you deserve something better, something that suits your own tastes. Think of the folly of the Lone Ranger theology and where it leads to in the end. Think of Rosemary who has persevered, endured, and remained steadfast and strong as God gave her the unspeakable gift of…longevity.
Folks, you can keep your holster and spiritual silver bullets which make you feel like a modern day lone ranger. Give me a long tenure in one place, making a difference for Jesus any day.