The Family of God!

Local Baptist Associations are often described as being, “A Family of Churches.” I find this to be a clear and helpful description. Humans come into families in one of three ways: birth, adoption, or marriage. The Bible reveals that Christians come into the “Family of God” (Ephesians 3:14-15 KJV) in the same three ways: the new birth, (John 3:1-7; 1 Peter 1:3) adoption, (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:5-6) and at the consummation of the ages, we will be the “Bride” of Christ! (Revelation 19:7)

God created humans, (Genesis 1:1) and He immediately placed us into families. (Genesis 2:18-25) It should not surprise us that God blesses and uses the family motif in His Kingdom. It can be simply stated that a local church is, “A Family of Families” and the Local and State Associations as well as the Southern Baptist Convention are basically, “A Family of Local Churches.”

Therefore, the best way for a Church, Association, or Denomination to function is as a family! The very same things that enable a family to function well also enable the Church, Associations, and Denomination to function well. These would include, (but not be limited to) loving one another; (John 13:34-35) supporting one another; (Galatians 6:2) teaching and discipling one another; (2 Timothy 2:2) encouraging one another; (Hebrews 10:23-25) and (when needed) correcting one another! (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20)

Sadly, Churches, Associations, and Denominations are all subject to the same kind of destructive dysfunctions as are human families. May our gracious Lord grant us to be part of a functional family, functional Associations, and a functional Denomination!