The church as a community of encouragement, not criticism

It’s impossible to be unimpressed by Claire Lomas. Completing the London Marathon is a remarkable achievement for anyone but infinitely more so when you are paralysed from the chest down. And Claire Lomas did just that, raising more than £83,000 for Spinal research in the process.

The 32-year-old mother crossed the finishing line 16 days after setting out on her torturous adventure thanks to a pair of robotic legs that allowed her to walk again, and masses of encouragement, not least from her devoted husband Dan Spicer who supported her every step of the way.

"It's a moment I am going to treasure for the rest of my life", she said as she finally came to the end of her remarkable adventure. It’s one that should inspire us believers too, for we can all learn lessons from Claire’s bravery and dedication.

Let’s be fair. The British church can hardly be compared to an Olympic athlete at the top of his or her form. We may be the Body of Christ but there are lots of stresses and strains, not to mention fractures, hindering our ability to function properly.

The apostle Paul prayed that there would be glory in the church in every generation but in spite of some wonderful stories there is much to despair of in today’s church. We are characterised (if not caricatured) by division - over such issues as sexuality, women’s ministry and charismatic activity. We are commonly viewed as negative and irrelevant rather than gracious and dynamic.

And we continually fail to be communities of love and encouragement. In the mid 90s Michael Fanstone spent some time researching why the church haemorrhaged members so badly and said, “I have uncovered a lot of pain, hurt and disillusionment. The Christian church which should set an example of love and acceptance seems to have the capacity to leave a trail of destruction in its wake” ("The sheep that got away" Marc Monarch Publications)

Is it any wonder then that we find it so hard going in our post Christian, increasingly aggressive secular culture? Seeking to live the Jesus life is no egg and spoon race! But has it ever been? The New Testament shows us that living the Christian life has often proved an “agonising” experience. The apostle Paul understood as well as anyone, which is why he told his friends in Philippi: “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.”

It’s fascinating to compare Claire Lomas’ experience with the apostle Paul’s. They both kept going because of the encouragement they received from others. It should be the same with us. We need to be communities of encouragement rather than criticism and complaint.

And we need to heed the advice of the writer to the Hebrews who reminds us that we are not alone as we run the race set before us. We are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses, some still alive on earth, others now alive in glory, who have walked their own marathons and endured their own pain for the sake of Christ.

And while we have no need of a bionic suit we can look to God to give us all we need to step out in faith. For it is only when we are weak that we truly discover the supernatural strength that is available for those who will put their trust in Him.

Above all, though, we need to covet the prize as seriously as Claire Lomas did. It’s often been said that the church has been so heavenly minded that it is of no earthly use and sadly that can be true. I’ve read that there were once some monks in Sicily who passed their days making and then unmaking wicker baskets while they waited for Christ to return. Such an attitude makes a mockery of everything Christ wants of us.

We have no choice. Jesus expects us to strive to make this world a better place. Martin Luther King understood this. It was his vision of “The Promised Land” that drove him on. It removed his fear and gave him nerves of steel for he knew that he couldn’t lose, only gain.

“So let’s let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us,” knowing we can’t fail. God will make sure of that.