Chicken casserole, red jello, and delicious noodles! Along with the wonderful company of 25 older folks from the church… it was all powerful good. That phrase caught my attention as it was used by one of the gentlemen at the table. He was describing the apple pie, but I was thinking the same words would apply to the privilege of building relationships across generations.

This group of folks solidified their relationships with one another when they were building this church back in the 1960’s. They had a sense of call that this building was to be for the community and the neighborhood, and they built the sanctuary their own hands. The relationships forged are still thriving today – with depth, and a comfort in one another’s presence.

As a pastor, it’s a part of my job to facilitate community building among the members of the congregation and in the neighborhood. I’ve read all the ‘try our program’ brochures, and attended seminars on how to bring people together. But sitting with these folks today, I find myself wondering if the thing my generation has lost in its view of the church is the value of working side by side towards a common call. Rather than unrolling a 10 step plan for the revitalization of the church, my sense is that Christ has a common call for us. And as we follow Him, we will be building relationships both inside and outside this building that will bring Him glory and bring us purpose. And that will be powerful good.