I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4.1-3

Life Together
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
“He who loves the dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial.”

I suppose to one extent or another we all affirm the importance of unity in the Body of Christ. Jesus prays for it (Jn. 17.21). Paul says it’s part of a healthy, growing church (Eph. 4.11-16). The Spirit bestows gifts for us to use in building the unity of the church (1 Cor. 12.7-11). I don’t know a single pastor who would not agree that unity among the various churches would be a good thing. All pastors love the idea of unity. But unless we’re “working hard” (the Greek of Eph. 4.3) to maintain that unity, we’re really enemies of it. Bonhoeffer and his friends understood both how important unity among believers is, and how hard it is to achieve. But they devoted their lives to doing so. What are we devoting to the unity of the Body of Christ?

What would it look like in your community if Bible-believing churches actually were working hard to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?

T. M. Moore

Kingdom and Church
What is the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ? How does the Church advance the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven? What is my role as a member of that Body and a citizen in that Kingdom in bringing the Good News of Jesus to my world? These and related questions are addressed in our course One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview. Using videos, worksheets, study guides, and other resources, you can set your own schedule and study at your own pace through this free, online resource. For more information and to register, click here.

Mission Partners Outreach
Pastor, here’s a great resource to encourage the men in your church in their walk with and work for the Lord. This six-month, stay-at-home mission training regimen will get your men praying and reaching out to the people in their Personal Mission Field, and will provide a free resource for ongoing discipleship training in your church. Watch the brief video introducing this effort (click here), then download the brochure, find a man or two, and get started equipping the men of your church for mission.

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.