Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 2 Timothy 4.9, 10

Life Together
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
“It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness may be brief indeed.”

Back in 1974, when Susie and I had just moved from Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Jackson, Mississippi, I had occasion to attend a conference in Switzerland. Much of the time I was there, I felt alone and out of my element. On one occasion, I was walking by Lake Geneva, pining for Susie and home, when suddenly, somewhere along the lake, I heard a group of people giving the “Call the Hogs” cry associated with Arkansas Razorbacks fans. I sensed a deep need to find these folks, and did, and together we delighted to share a rousing Sooo-eee or two. If only the bonds of peace and joy that existed among the members of the Body of Christ were as strong! What would be the impact in our communities if, on a regular basis, all the followers of Christ from all our churches gathered together to sing familiar hymns, offer abundant praise and thanks, hear the Word proclaimed, encourage one another in love and good works, and go forth rejoicing in the unity of Spirit we share in Jesus Christ? But if we love the world and its self-centered, fragmenting ways, more than the hard work of realizing life together in Jesus, we won’t make the effort such unity requires. Perhaps if conditions conspire to take away this privilege, we’ll begin to appreciate what we have – or had.

Read the excerpt from Bonhoeffer again. Do you think any of the Christians you know believe this? Do you?

T. M. Moore

The End of Protestantism?
Would that be a good thing? If we understand it the way Peter J. Leithart does, it could be a very good thing, indeed. What Bonhoeffer wrote about in Life Together at the local level, Peter J. Leithart dares to envision as the universal level for all true followers of Jesus Christ. No one has written as persuasively, courageously, or clearly about Christian unity than in Peter’s book, The End of Protestantism. You need to read this book and join the ranks of those who are seriously thinking about how to encourage life together in the Body of Christ by every available means.

Praying for Revival
During the third week of each month, pastors and lay leaders join as men together in the Lord to seek Him for revival. If you would like to join one of our online Revival Prayer Groups, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we’ll make it happen for you.

I’m often asked how The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported. Our heavenly Father supports us through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.