Week 5 of Pastor Riley’s sabbatical. This past week the staff were all with him in Dallas at a conference called C3, hosted by Fellowship Church, a growing congregation of ever 17,000 people. …and I didn’t take my computer with me. So that is why this post is a few days late.

The conference was just incredible, and hopefully formational in the way we do ministry here at MFCN. And the time we all got to spend together was refreshing and fun. Here is week 5′s post.

Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galations 6:2 (NIV)

The biologist led us through the wetlands. He pointed out the tree roots that had spread along the surface of the forest. Then he said, “Look at the canopy overhead. If one of these trees stood alone, a fierce wind could fell it. Because the branches overhead intertwine, the trees protect and hold up one another.” The canopy is one. Though each tree has its own trunk and shallow roots, together they form one canopy.

Christian unity is like the supporting canopy of the forest wetlands. Each of us is an individual with unique gifts; but we are joined together to become the church, which supports, protects, and encourages us. Together we form a canopy, the arms of Christ that intertwine to form the community of faith and that keep each of us from falling.

Prayer
Thank you, Lord, that in you we are one. Help us to hold one another in arms of love so we all may stand strong in faith.
Amen.

Thought for the week
Who today needs to feel the supporting arms of the Christian community?