By Dr. Joe Yelton
Interim Pastor
We’re told, “Our generation is the most connected since the beginning of humanity.” I suppose it’s true, especially in particular contexts. Because of social media I now have reconnections (most superficial) with friends with whom I’ve not spoken since graduating Asheville High School. There are cousins who two or three times a year reach out whereas before, we lost touch. But when I think about the word “connection,” most of these friends and family are still largely disconnected ... what’s happening in their lives? Has there been a death, birth, graduation or huge prayer request? But isn’t most of life lived outside of big events? Who is struggling with depression? Are they facing relationship hazards? Would they like someone to pray? These are instances of actual connectedness.
Bell Hooks said, “The choice to love is the choice to connect-to find ourselves in the other.” I’m not the only one who struggles to have this kind of deep connection.
When we close ourselves off, we narrow the realm of relationships we once enjoyed. In the Book of Acts, we read the story of Cornelius who was “saved, both he and his household.” The Greek word used here is oikos. It means realm, and it is so much larger than a family. The Greek notion of oikos is the community one encounters with regularity: your grocer, barber/beautician, the guy at the gas station, the server at your favorite restaurant, etc. Cornelius was so thoroughly changed by the Gospel, that his changed nature changed everyone around him.
As we seek out a new pastor, let us commit in fresh ways that the new pastor will find us connected deeply to one another. Let us rededicate ourselves to the Jesus idea of community. Let us enlarge ourselves by enlarging OURSELF.
– Joe