Three days spent in meetings from 9am to 9pm hardly seems like anyone’s idea of a good time. Yet a recent three days spent with the Young Anglicans Project was just that. It was good on so many levels. It was good to be with friends, good to be with faithful men and women who are passionate about proclaiming the gospel to the next generation and good to be part of a project that is gaining momentum for the kingdom. Yet most of all, it was good for my soul to spend three days that we bookended by praise and prayer. In between was plenty of laughter, challenging discussion, encouragements, and strategic thinking. It was good to know and be known by these folks. It occurred to me that the fellowship I long for involves belonging, being known, and knowing others. I experience belonging in a context where I am surrounded by peers. It’s not the same as being with folks whom I have a pastoral role over or who I am under. These men and women are not those for whom I work or serve as a pastor to. They are merely youth ministry leaders who I can relate to and serve alongside. We are not all alike, nor do we hold to the same churchmanship. Yet, somehow we are peers and belonging is a powerful experience. Being known is that quality of being able to be vulnerable and real with people. I find myself these days sharing things about myself that I just want someone to know. It shocks me honestly to receive a response about how that blessed them personally. I just want others to know who I am and what I struggle with. I desperately want others to know me on a deep personal level. To know others is about them sharing their lives and challenges with me. We did a good amount of this on the three days together. We were able to pray for one another but it was significant in itself that people share what they are challenged by in life.
Belonging, being know, and knowing others is a key part of living in the kingdom! It gives us life and helps us live.
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