The Meaning of Family
Dear Church Family,
I just finished having dinner with my cousin. That may not sound particularly noteworthy or "article" worthy, but perhaps this will change your mind: it was the first time we had seen each other in over 25 years!
You might think he lives out of town or was passing through, but he lives and works about 15 minutes from our home. We just haven't connected in all that time. To be fair, we didn't spend much time together growing up and hadn't been all that close. But regardless, his mom and my dad were siblings, so we are family.
I found an old photo album in our cabinet that contained mainly pictures of he and his mom. When I realized that he might like to have it, I reached out, and thus our dinner was arranged. It was lovely to re-connect. We each had memories of our childhoods, parents, and grandparents that helped fill gaps in our own stories.
This reunion got me reflecting on what truly makes us family. Since I started writing church newsletter articles, I've always begun them with "Dear Church Family." When I type those words, I mean them. Because family is much more than blood. I believe when we say yes to being part of a church community, we become family. It's no accident that Paul refers to those who were part of the early first-century church as brothers and sisters. He understood that being part of a church is being part of a family.
God created us to be in relationship with one another. We see this in the first chapters of Genesis, when God says, "It's not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a companion." (Genesis 2:18, my paraphrase). The Bible usually translates this as helper, but it's much more than that. It really conveys a sense of a companion and partner in this life together. God created us to be family for one another.
As I look back over my 56 years, the people I have been closest to have been connected to the church. It has been our congregation who welcomed our children into their community. It has been the people of the various churches we have served who have been there for us when life hits the bumps and hurdles. When I think about the laughter, tears, and fond memories, they are often filled with the people of the church. Every congregation I have pastored has become family, and St. Andrew's is no exception.
This is why God called us to be the church. It doesn't replace family: it becomes an extended family. In those moments when family isn't around, our church community is there to fill the gap. If we genuinely believe that we are all children of God, then that means we truly are brothers and sisters--all of us.
I don't know what brought you to St. Andrew's, but now that you're here, I want to remind you that you have a family. The people of this church are your brothers and sisters, and together we share in the joys and challenges of life. We are here for one another, bound not by blood, but by something even stronger – a shared faith and commitment to walk this journey together.
Blessings,
Pastor Karl
