Fellowship Memphis

We can come to church every Sunday and hear Brian, JB, Ben  or whoever is preaching talk about the “Buckle” of the bible belt, racial, economic and social lines, but do we really leave church with a changed heart? Have we repented and asked God to forgive us of our sins, or are we much like I was before my community group experience? I used to leave those stirring Sundays saying I need to try harder to be a better person and look past the race, class, or job status, but I didn’t really flesh it out day in and day out.

But this fall I have had what I call a 2x4 moment, when God hits  me upside the head and says, “Do you get it now?” It happened through becoming a part of a community group here at Fellowship. As we began our community group by sharing our life stories, the good messy stuff we like to hide behind our pretty masks, I finally got it. As I sat there and listened to everyone’s stories, scared for my turn to come, I realized that no matter whether you grew up in the inner-city, suburbs, or the country; went to public schools, private school, or were home schooled; had a stable father figure or did not; were adopted or not; our stories are very much the same. Once I realized that, I no longer focused on how different we all were, but I began to see a group that was committed to the same God and was willing to take off the mask and share their hearts with other sinners in hope of growing together towards God. As our group leader, BJ Thompson, put it one night, “When you are truly living in community, you are no longer just living for yourself, but you are living for the community.” While that may seem daunting, it is also a freeing feeling because to give your life away and care about others is really to gain it.

It is amazing to be able to share life with people who truly care about you as a person and know the real you, the you unashamed to admit you are broken and unworthy of the grace God freely gave us. The journey has been amazing and the fun part is it has just begun!