christian counseling today
Vol. 20 no. 4
59
If someone had a need, we all helped to
meet that need. Everyone had signifi-
cance. In so many ways, we lived the
example of the first church pictured
in Acts 2:43-47:
“Day by day, as they
spent much time together in the temple,
they broke bread from house to house and
ate their food with glad and generous
hearts and having the goodwill of all the
people…”
(46, 47).
I think we miss a very important
ingredient of the Church today now
that many have walked away from
the significance of the Sunday school
experience. Although some churches
continue to have successful Sunday
classes, the emphasis has shifted from
group concerns to corporate worship.
That is one of the casualties of the
modern megachurch era in which we
now live. Not bad, but I miss it.
Additionally, in those days, I
attempted to have a team for anyone
who wanted to play, a choir for anyone
who wanted to sing, and a specialty
group for anyone who had a specific
interest. What I realized was that a
church can be very intimidating. If
you could involve a family, teen, single
adult, or other individual with a group
of people when they walk into a church
and lock eyes with someone they have
been in fellowship with, they do not
feel alone. They feel like a part of the
family. Is that not the goal?
The Best of All Groups
When Jesus was teaching the disciples
how to deal with those who were
troublesome, He used the term “two or
three” several times. In Matthew 18:20,
he stated,
“For where two or three are
gathered in my name, I am there among
them.”
In other words, Jesus saw the
value of a few people being together
for whatever the purpose—especially
prayer. He seemed to say the sincere
agreement of two or three people is
more powerful than the superficial
agreement of thousands. Why? Because
Christ’s Holy Spirit is with them. Now
you are talking about a profitable small
group… my favorite kind. A few folks
I have confidence in meeting together
with a common need and goal...
including the Holy Spirit. Enjoy!
✠
Rev. H.B. London, Jr.,
D.D.,
has served 32 years
in pastoral ministry—20 as
Pastor to Pastors with Focus
on the Family. H.B. and
his wife, Beverley, are now
“retired” and live in LaQuinta, California, where
he will continue his ministry to the clergy through
H.B. London Ministries (hblondon.org). Focus
on the Family has conferred on H.B. the title of
Pastor to Pastors Emeritus.
