By Nancy Patrick

On August 18, 2024, Dr. Matt Cook, interim pastor at First Baptist Church, preached a sermon based on Acts 2:44-47.  The text describes the fundamental nature of friendship as that of gathering, loving, and sharing. 

Matt referred to an often told and sometimes exaggerated story of the 1976 Special Olympics in Seattle, Washington. The story illustrates the nature of true friendship exhibited by some of the participants.

As nine runners lined up to run the 100-yard dash, one child stumbled, fell, and began crying. The other competitors started to run, but two who heard the child crying stopped and went back to help him. Those three children linked arms and walked across the finish line together (Crossing the Finish Line Together | UUA.orgCrossing the Finish Line Together | UUA.org). 

Our definitions of friendship may alter as we grow older. We also find that friendships often differ. Brian “Drew” Chalker wrote an interesting piece about friends who come into our lives at various times and for different reasons (“A Reason, A Season and A Lifetime” by Brian A. “Drew” Chalker – Symphony of Love). He explains how relationships, whether intimate or superficial, can be equally important in their impact.

We have all had various friends throughout life—some, cousins; others, schoolmates; some, colleagues; and others, neighbors. Many of those friends did not stay in our lives for various reasons. For us fortunate ones, some of those people remained with us throughout our lives.

Regardless of whether people have come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, those relationships remain important for what they added to the fabric of our lives. As Matt preached about this scripture text, he asked us to ponder the question: What do you want in a church?

Just as our friends fill specific needs in our lives, so do our church families and the leaders. Consider what we really want and need. Some want a dynamic preacher; others want a pastor involved heavily in pastoral care while others see the need for someone with a head and personality for leadership of a large staff and a diverse ministry outreach. 

As we consider a spiritual leader, we need to consider the church’s description in Acts 2.  The believers met in homes and “held all things in common.” Obviously, the first Christian churches differed greatly from modern churches. As soon as we refer to holding things in common and sharing, some people panic and begin fearing socialism. 

I certainly cannot compare the political and social hierarchies of history with the structures of today, but I can see the verses’ focus on sharing what we have with those who do not have.

 I don’t assume that everyone sold all their possessions and lands and put the proceeds in a pot for a communal living environment. What I do envision, though, is a group of people who would not eat filet mignon while those next to them ate bread.

Matt pointed out some important differences between historical communities and modern communities. One of those relates to the amount of time people today spend alone. Whereas we used to visit neighbors on porches and have group picnics, today we order in and have pizza delivered.

We no longer need to sit in the heat on porches, brushing flies and mosquitoes away; we have nice air-conditioned homes where we can work on our computers or stream any movie we want. Group memberships such as Lions, Elks, and Rotary clubs have declined as people choose to do more individually than in groups. 

Covid also contributed to our isolation as we learned to shop online and conduct Zoom rather than in-person meetings. Church attendance has also declined as people can stream church services in their homes or watch on television. Although streaming provides a nice option, it does not produce the same experience as sitting next to people in pews.

Back to the question—what do you want in a church? If the answer does not involve love and sacrificial sharing, we miss the church’s mission. Matt concluded our service Sunday by instructing us to look around the room and identify someone who exemplifies love to us.

It didn’t take me two minutes to spot the woman at the top of my admiration and appreciation list. I made a bee-line for this remarkable woman when Matt asked us to go to that person and express our feelings to him or her. 

This ninety-year-old woman has lived an admirable life in which she has consistently modeled Christianity for those around her. In all the years I have known her, her faith and love have never wavered. Never once did she withdraw from fellowship. She faithfully continued praying for all her fellow church members as I marveled at her goodness.

As my fellow church members and I consider the question of what we want in a church or senior pastor, I think we would do well to seek someone who loves God, loves all His children, loves ministry, and loves sharing. God loves simple humility and unmeasured generosity.

Nancy Patrick is a retired teacher who lives in Abilene and enjoys writing