You may have heard your pastor or church leader use the phrase “family of faith”.  The saying is common in today’s church culture.  For some, it is a marketing strategy to make a congregation seem warm and fuzzy for potential church attendees.  For others, it is lip-service to caring about others without actually having to do it.  To be honest, I never really understood what a “family of faith” could be until Beth and I found out we were expecting our first child.

Immediately our church sprung into action providing helpful advice and meeting the practical needs becoming a new parent entails.  There were days leading up to our son’s birth when we were overwhelmed by the kindness of our church.  Soon after Caleb was born, there was a long line of people who brought meals and checked in on our new family of three.  Now that it has been several weeks, the offers are coming in from older couples in our church to babysit while Beth and I get away for a date.

Moving our family to a place hundreds of miles away from our parents and family members was heavy on our hearts when we moved to Virginia.  We stepped into the great unknown apart from the relatives that had guided us along life’s twisting and turning pathway.  We were concerned to say the least.  In these past weeks and months we have seen many of these fears melt away as we realized how much like family a church can become.

The church is God’s primary means for reaching people with the Gospel and making disciples.  It is also His primary function for caring for believers on this side of heaven.  Consider how you might help another church member out.  Prayer and practical help mix together in a wonderful demonstration of caring for others in your congregation.  As we lend helping hands and open arms to those in our church fellowship we learn the joy of becoming a “family of faith”.  I have experienced it first hand and look forward to returning the favor in the days, weeks, and months to come at our church home.