Living Vertically: Getting Healthy

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

What does it take for a church to get healthy?

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul helps us answer this question by describing God’s amazing design of the church and the Spirit in carrying out that design. For the next several months, we’ll be looking at what Paul has to say about the work of the Spirit in the church. This month, we look at a prayer located in the middle of the letter:

“that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16–19 ESV).

God wants his church to be filled with his fullness. In this prayer, Paul asks God to give the Ephesian believers a superabundant awareness of and trust in the Spirit. This superabundance is also true of us. Let us ask God to strengthen us toward a recognition of his control and care, and our brokenness and misalignment. Let us decide to walk in the Spirit for the Glory of God alone, being his alone.

The Spirit, who dwells in and among us, is the one who fills, strengthening us with power, and deepening our understanding of God’s power and love. As we submit to the Spirit's filling, he strengthens us, giving us the capacity to do God's work and making us fully able to comprehend God's power and love. Seeking ability and understanding outside of God is futile, for God is the true and only source of deep spiritual power. Let us remember and help each other remember that God is the one who loves and strengthens. He alone is our foundation. When we forget this and act on our own, let us repent and rest in his constant care.

As we travel together through this transition, let us pray for clear eyes and voices and commit to living as a community grounded in God's love and living by the Spirit.

Living Vertically in a Horizontal World

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: Galatians 5:25

           

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, we need to talk.

In October 2019, the Pew Research Center released statistics on Christian affiliation and church attendance in America. To the surprise of no one, both are going down. In changing times like this, churches may be tempted to focus on facilities and structures. While these are good things to do, they are not foundational, and they do not result in a healthy church that draws people to Jesus. Struggling churches nearly always have a heart problem that is deeper than design and structure can fix.

What's the proper focus? In the first century, a group of believers was struggling to be healthy in a complex culture.  They struggled in their relationships with one another.  They struggled to be spiritually mature.  In the midst of their struggle, they were being tempted by some to focus on the horizontal rather than on the vertical.  Certain legalistic persons had snuck in, attempting to convince these believers that one needed to follow behavioral rules to be spiritual. 

In response, their spiritual father wrote them a letter explaining what it means to live vertically.  He tells them that vertical living is not about following a set of horizontal rules.  It is not about doing good things to look better.

This group of Christian was the church at Galatia, and their spiritual father was Paul. In his letter to them, Paul gives them two truths that summarize what it means to live vertically (see Galatians 5:25).

"If we live by the Spirit…"  Becoming a healthy church requires that members know that life in Christ is made possible by the work of the Spirit.  All our struggling to be spiritual, all our horizontal rule-keeping, did nothing to give us new life, and it does nothing to give us a healthy church.  We are alive because we took God at his word, acknowledged our terminal weakness, and trusted that Jesus really did pay it all. Doing all the right things cannot make us a healthy church. But the Spirit can.

“…let us also keep in step with the Spirit” Following the Spirit is the only path to spiritual health and maturity.  Horizontal focus leads to slavery. Following the Spirit leads to life. Horizontal focus leads to struggle. Following the Spirit leads to peace. Horizontal focus leads to conceit. Following the Spirit leads to humble service.

Starting in January 2020, we’ll be exploring the Spirit and his work, considering together how we might deepen our relationship with him during this time of transition.

The Church is Salt and Light

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: Matthew 5:13–16

Does TFB want to make a difference? Do you?

The answer should be a resounding “YES! It's what we're made for!”

Jesus referred to this difference-making when he called the church “the salt of the earth...the light of the world" (Matt 5:13-16). We are those who salt and enlighten humanity. We are those who make a difference.

God has formed and called us to influence humanity toward his kingdom. As the community of God's people, we influence the world through words and actions that reflect and proclaim his glory and grace. We live and walk by the Spirit. We proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all who will hear. This influence is not through special activities or planned programs, though these can be helpful. Rather, this influence takes place in the context of daily life.

Here's the bottom line: God's mission is our mission. If God did not have a mission, there would not be a church. God himself has determined that our participation, our work as salt and light, is mission-critical. Even more, he has decided upon the most extraordinary means for us to carry out this mission: the dailies of our lives and conversations. He has formed, called, and equipped the church to live and reign as his holy priesthood, declaring his goodness to others through our godly conduct and words of truth. 

By acting as salt and light, we influence our worlds with God's message. So, let us do the work of the dailies, reflecting God's glory and grace as we do so. Let us learn and keep learning the truth of God's word, especially the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Reflecting God in the dailies shows the world what Jesus is like.

Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ tells the world why that matters.

Let’s do this!

The Church at Work

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Consider: what does it mean to be church while you're shopping for groceries, hanging out at the beach, or in a meeting at work?

The priesthood of believers, described in 1 Peter 2, helps us answer that question. Take a moment to read verses 1 to 10.

The nature of our work. The church is called, equipped, and expected to function as a priesthood, carrying out this work by offering sacrifices of praise and service whether we are gathered or dispersed. Wherever we are and whatever we do, we have the responsibility to do the work of praising God and serving others.

The context of our work. We work, rest, and play in the midst of Jesus' Kingdom, for he is Creator and Lord of all, and he rules all. As the priesthood of believers, we are called to serve Jesus in the context of his redemptive reign, and to do so in ways that honor him and expand his Kingdom. Even now, Jesus is redeeming and delivering people from evil and invading the toppled realm of Satan, and we are called and equipped to partner with him.

The work of TFB. Our work as the priesthood of believers is our highest priority, and this priority has implications for our life together as TFB.

1.  Let us take our communal life seriously. Whether gathered as the church or dispersed into the dailies of life, we are his priesthood, offering the spiritual sacrifices of praise and service in the company of our siblings.

2. Let us take our unity seriously. We are one in Jesus by the Spirit, and our work as the priesthood of believers is not a matter of each alone but all as one. There is no place in the church for isolation or division Our love for one another is the most important piece of evidence that we belong to Jesus.

3. Let us decide and keep deciding to put Jesus and his Word first. We must be willing to follow Jesus into new paths, remaining ever willing to carry out TFB's priesthood in ways that may be very different than anything we've done before.

TFB has work to do in this world, and our corporate identity as the priesthood of believers summarizes that work. Let us decide together to put our shoulders to the work.

The Church Dispersed: Love as Proclamation

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: John 13:31-38; 15:12-17
Other references: Word Bible Commentary Vol. 36 on John 13:31–38 and John 15:12-17.

Not that long ago, I assumed loving one another didn’t require us to like one another. After studying the above passages, I’m not so sure.

In these two passages from the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17), Jesus calls the disciples his friends and, in that context, commands them to love one another as he loves them. Jesus loves them as friends and defines the greatest love to be giving one’s life for one’s friends. If loving like Jesus is giving ourselves for our friends, what does loving one another look like, especially as we disperse into daily life?

Recognize that love for one another is required. Jesus’ gracious act of redemption puts us under obligation to love one another, and this love must not and cannot be confined to our gatherings. Jesus states clearly that those outside the church will know we are his disciples because we love one another. Bottom line: those who trust Jesus love those who trust Jesus, whether they are around one another or not.

The measure of love is sacrifice. Given in the context of Jesus’ determination to go to the cross, this command to love goes well beyond “love your neighbor as yourself.” We are commanded to love as he loves, giving ourselves for the good of others, and drawing others to ourselves.

Life is the testing ground. Love is not an emotion that just happens but the decision to consider others as more important than ourselves. It is recognizing that all those who trust Christ are our sisters and brothers and choosing to behave accordingly. Loving is not only in how we act toward one another but also in how we think and feel about one another.

Let’s be honest: we assume our family tensions stay in the family, but that doesn’t actually happen. Our souls leak all over the place. But when love for one another leaks out alongside the struggles, that love becomes a key piece of evidence for God’s gracious redemption in Christ.


Through his sacrificial love, Jesus has made us his friends and friends of one another. Let us commit together to love one another. Jesus is worth it. Our brothers and sisters are worth it. Those without Jesus are worth it. God’s love and grace make it doable.

The Church Gathered

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: Hebrews 10:19–25 (see also 1 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 1:3–5; 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3; 5:8)

TFB is at a threshold. This year, Academy has been exploring who, what, and how God intends his church to be. This month we begin summarizing what we have discovered, beginning with a look at the church gathered.

As the gathered church, we encourage one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:25). We worship boldly as one, each free to enter God's presence quietly or loudly, peacefully or wildly. We encourage one another to do God's works. Within the context of relationship, we share our lives and our love for Jesus, pointing one another to him and reminding each other who we are in him. We share responsibility, recognizing that life in Jesus is the work of each and all. We meet and encourage one another even when doing so is hard and measure the quality of our gatherings by the love we have expressed for God and one another. We design worship services, business meetings, and small group gatherings that center on Jesus and provide ample opportunity to express love for one another.

The gathered church can have confidence in the blood of Jesus and absolute security in him, our great priest (Hebrews 10:19-21). We know that Jesus' death, resurrection, and glorification have made it possible for us to come boldly before God. We are free to give ourselves to God and one another. We can be ourselves and, when we mess up, we can trust the grace of Jesus and the graciousness of our brothers and sisters.

The gathered church practices bold worship, regular proclamation of the Gospel, and consistent opportunities for mutual discipleship (Hebrews 10:22-24). Bold worship proclaims God's worth and declares love for him as our most important activity. Gospel proclamation focuses our life together on Jesus, without fear or compromise. We commit to theological fidelity and cultural clarity without compromising either. Every meet-up is an opportunity to influence the spiritual development of our brothers and sisters.


Being a Christian is never a solo affair: our gatherings are crucial (Hebrews 10:25)! Whether gathered for worship, service, or learning, the church should always be about helping one another become more and more like Jesus. As siblings in Christ, let us focus on Jesus in personal and corporate worship. Let us commit ourselves to trust God and believe what he says. Let us participate in frequent mutual discipleship. Figuring out what this looks like for us is crucial during this time of transition.

The Church is the Bride of Christ

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1–6; Genesis 2:18–25; Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 21:1–4

TFB is at a threshold. This year, Academy has been exploring what God intends his church to be. We have seen that God intends us to be a sanctuary, a family, a people, a kingdom of priests, and the body of Christ. This month we look at the church as the Bride of Christ, living toward God's purpose in intimate partnership with Jesus.

Holy and splendid. In the context of this intimate partnership, the church is being made holy and splendid by the love of Jesus. In response, she has a singular devotion to him. She is nourished and cherished by him. Through his love and the work of the Spirit, she is becoming more like him, living out his holiness and reflecting his glory. She is fully supplied for her service in his mission and fully valued as his bride. She is always with him, and he is always with her. Knowing she is eternally safe in his love, the church is eager to proclaim the truth and love the unlovely. She does this despite opposition from persons and cultures, for whole-hearted devotion is her reasonable response. No other love comes before her love for Jesus.

Called, qualified, and secure. In this intimate partnership, the church is called, qualified, and secure in Jesus’ love. She has real participation in his mission, having the capacity to risk and love by his grace. She has been chosen by him and rests in his finished work, looking ahead to her glorification in the Kingdom. In the meantime, she puts her calling and qualification to work, making disciples of Jesus wherever she gathers and disperses.

During this time of transition, TFB needs a clear understanding of identity as a community and a calm assurance of our place in Christ's heart. Let us remember that being the bride of Christ is a position of value. It is a position held by one who is qualified by the love of Jesus and held secure in that love. In response, she can focus her love on him alone. She serves alongside her groom, being fit for the needs of their shared service. Her work is fueled by his love, and her heart is faithful to his ends.  Let us hold fast to our first love.

The Church is the Body of Christ

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; Ephesians 4:1-24

Have you ever been on the threshold, between where you were and where you may be going? When you're at a threshold, it helps to know who God intends you to be.

TFB is at a threshold. This year, Academy has been exploring who God intends his church to be. We have seen that God intends us to be a sanctuary, a family, a people, and a kingdom of priests. This month, we look at the church as Christ's body, in all her unity and diversity.

Unity. The church is one body under one Head, Jesus Christ. We grow in unity by centering our decisions on Jesus and carrying out our work for his glory. Unity is nourished by the shared content of what we believe and teach in pulpit, classroom, patio, and life. It is nourished as we grow in love for God and one another. It is nourished as we hold ourselves and one another accountable to our shared values.

Diversity. The church is many members, each working toward the maturity of the body according to the diverse supply of the Spirit. Diversity is nourished as we respect difference while we fulfill our callings and support the callings of others. It is nourished as we share insights from our earthly communities and endeavors while recognizing and honoring the resulting cultural mosaic. It is nourished as we serve alongside one another in the Spirit, growing the whole body toward Christlikeness.

Unity and diversity. Unity without diversity becomes uniformity; diversity without unity becomes division. We need both unity and diversity. We achieve a critical balance by aligning our various functions, cultures, and perspectives to the one Head, Jesus Christ. We achieve it by valuing difference while worshiping Christ alone. We achieve it by loving God, loving people, and teaching others to do the same, and doing so in ways that are crafted and personalized by our callings and capacities. Together we can work to make TFB a community in which individuals are honored for who they are, a church where we all belong to one another in Christ.

We are on the threshold, and it is a place to be traveled through not taken up as a dwelling. We are in a place of transformation. As each member of Jesus' body at TFB works alongside the others, using their various callings and capacities for the growth of the whole, we will become the church Jesus intends us to be.

The Church is a Kingdom of Priests

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10 (with Exodus 19:1-6); 1 Peter 4:7-11; Revelation 1:4-8

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9 ESV).

We live in an increasingly divided and irreligious culture in which people are ever more in need of good news and real connection with something bigger than themselves. God is good news, and he definitely offers something bigger. How can we help?

Kingdom of priests. God has formed the church as a kingdom of priests, a community of persons who spend their lives offering sacrifices to God and proclaiming his excellence. We, the church, are being built into a spiritual house so that as priests we might demonstrate God before others and bear others before God in prayer.

We offer sacrifices. We offer sacrifices to God as individuals and community, serving as he sees fit and distinguishing ourselves as servants who are seeking to know and obey him. We offer praise to him, worshiping through the voices of our various cultures. We offer our material wealth to him, supporting our local church and our sisters and brothers in Christ.

We proclaim. As those whose home is God’s presence yet who sojourn here, we are called to live in God's ways so that others might see our good deeds and praise our Father. In our gatherings, this means ministering to one another with everything we are for the good of the community and the glory of God. It means recognizing the South Bay as the home base for our dispersed priestly work. It means focusing on Jesus and his priorities amidst a politically divided and post-Christian culture that makes our work as priests difficult, yet ever more important.    

Why this matters. Each believer and each local church is called to use their God-given abilities and ministries to serve one another for the glory of God. As TFB works toward health, it is crucial that all the believers in this local church live out their work as priests, both in the gathering and in the dispersing.

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5b-6 ESV).

We are a People

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

As a person born and raised in Western culture, where individualism filters out a deep understanding of community, I sought help from a friend born and raised in Sub-Saharan Africa as I worked on this article. The description of Christian life in his home country, combined with biblical teaching in Ephesians 2, tells me we have much to learn from Scripture and our brothers and sisters across the globe about what it means to be church. I thank my friend for helping me think through what it can look like to be the people of God.

One people. We are one people, siblings who are ever willing to give and receive aid. In the church, it is normal to ask for help and to offer help without being asked. Kindness is expected and freely offered, and folks feel bad when they lack the wherewithal to offer hospitality. As believers gather to worship God and minister to one another, our identity as God's people strengthens. As we disperse, we carry this identity into the world, inviting those who are not a people to come and see.

No divisions. Within the people of God, divisions are removed in Christ. Indeed, divisions are wholly out of place for we are one people, reconciled to God and one another. Our bonds are strong. While earthly conflicts sometimes show up, such conflict is not fitting, because loyalty to Christ and to our brothers and sisters is stronger than other loyalties. Serving God is more important than getting our way or making our point. As we gather, our unity strengthens, and our diversity is put to use. As we disperse, we demonstrate and communicate life as God’s people to a broken and divided world.

Responsibility. As fellow citizens, each of us bears citizenship responsibility to the whole, caring for one another as whole persons. We make ourselves aware of one another's needs and capacities. We help one another to develop a ready willingness to help those not yet belonging to Christ.

As I listened to my friend talk about being a people, one point surprised me: for Christians in his country the church family is closer than one’s blood family. He gave an example, saying that if a Christian were to visit a town where a member of his or her blood family lived, the Christian would still reach out to fellow believers for a place to stay before reaching out to family members. He noted that this is the case even when the relationship between blood siblings is strong.

We have much to learn.

We are a Family

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16, 43-48; 6:1-18; 7:7-11; 10:16-33; John 13:31-35; 15:12-17; Romans 12:9-13; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; 1 John 3:11-24; 4:7-21; 2 John 4-11; 1 Peter 1:13-25; 4:7-11


We live in a culture in which “us versus them” has become a badge of honor. Brothers and sisters, it should never be so among us. As believers in Jesus, we have one Father and are members of one family. Our Father is fair and caring. He knows our needs. He watches over us and rewards us. He is always accessible. As members of his Oikos, his household, we are called to obey him and act like his kids. In good times and bad, we worship and trust our Father.

As children of one Father, we are siblings. Love for one another, expressed in mutual care, is of primary importance. Thus, we are commanded to love one another. We do this through humble, hidden service to one another. We support and protect one another through honest actions, carried out in ways that follow Christ's commands. We love one another sacrificially: the same way that Jesus loves us.

By loving one another as siblings, we show to the world that we are redeemed followers of Jesus and prove to ourselves that we are dwelling in God. We are family, and our family duties are grounded in and shaped by that family because we remain loyal to our Father’s Oikos. We hold family commitment as more important than personal preference. We place our siblings’ needs above our own.


As our Lord Jesus commanded, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35 ESV).

Note: Some of the principles about the church as a family are summarized from When the Church was a Family, by Joseph H. Hellerman (2009). I recommend this book to those who would like to learn more about what it means to be a church that lives out the strong group family taught in the New Testament.

We are a Living Sanctuary

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

Relevant Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Peter 1:14-19; 2:9

“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16 ESV).

In a damaged and often dark world, the church is like the guy with the flashlight in a power outage. No one would think it is okay to hide the flashlight or smear it with mud to hide the light. The right thing to do is share.

We, the church, are a living sanctuary, a place from which the light of God’s glory and presence is made known. This is who we are when gathered and when dispersed.

What does it mean to be a living sanctuary?

We are the place in which God has chosen to dwell. The worship of God is no longer confined to a physical space but takes place everywhere we are. The Holy Spirit dwells in us as Church, and we are always in him and members of one another.

We are the place where the presence and glory of God are made manifest. The sanctuary of God is no longer a tent or stone but flesh and soul. The church goes where we go. As we come together for worship and discipleship, we proclaim to God and one another that he is great and he is here. As we move among home, work, and play, we display and proclaim his holiness and goodness.

We are a holy place for others. We share the light of God’s glory and presence, knowing that sharing is more important than making ourselves comfortable.

How might we behave like a living sanctuary?

Let us

…help one another grow toward holiness as we worship God and disciple one another.

…serve others at home, work, and play and carry God’s light into dark places.

…gather in ways that welcome and honor Father, Son, and Spirit.

…disperse in ways that make God’s glory and presence clear.

…support one another as we carry God’s light into the world.

Let us be a church that joyfully shares the flashlight.

We are in this together

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.

“Time to go to church.” It's a useful phrase, and we know what we mean. But what happens if we change it up a bit and say, “Let's be church”? All of a sudden things are a bit different. Location is less important. Possible church activities are without number. All of a sudden there are more questions to ask and fewer routines to fall back on. The phrase helps us realize that we are Kingdom of God Messengers (2 Corinthians 5). So, we continually decide to honor God in all we do and think, commit ourselves to remain faithful to him in all of life, and serve him by serving in the church and as the church.

Decide to honor God in all we do and think. The only evidence-based decision regarding our response to God is the decision to honor and thank him as God (Romans 1:18-23). This is true for humans, whether Christian or not. Christians decide to honor God in all of life—especially in the ordinary dailies. We honor God by carrying out our two main tasks: worshiping God and making disciples.

Commit ourselves to remain faithful to Christ in all of life. As followers of Christ, we make the commitment to trust him with all we are and do. This is the substance of our assurance that God will do what he promises and the conviction that trust in God is more true than physical sight (Hebrews 11:1). This faithfulness, worked out and proclaimed in the context of ordinary life, proclaims the Kingdom to our neighbors. Our individual lives of faithfulness shape our communal life as TFB, for we are members one of another. Therefore, every gathering, from formal worship to business meeting, and every act, from balancing the books to sharing the Gospel, becomes an opportunity to focus on God and bring him glory. Faithfulness has the capacity to shape every moment.

Serve Christ by serving IN the church. As followers of Christ, we serve in the church and as the church. In the church, we serve one another so that together we might mature as a church, becoming more like Christ through the ministry of every member (Ephesians 4:11-16). As we gather for worship, the bond among members and between each member and Christ is strengthened. Every time we gather, we have an opportunity to serve one another and help each other grow as disciples.

Serve Christ by serving AS the church. As the church, we serve as ambassadors of reconciliation, proclaiming the message that God is in the world, reconciling the world to himself through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:16-21). Through our words, actions, and values we proclaim that the Kingdom of God is here. We disperse for service, proclaiming the kingdom of God in those places through word and deed.

Whether gathered as worshipers or dispersed as ambassadors, we are the church and members one of another. By gathering, we grow as ambassadors of reconciliation. By dispersing, we live as worshipers.

Decide. Commit. Serve. These three acts can fill a lifetime with the glory of God, yet we do them moment by moment. Each day brings new opportunities to worship God and make disciples. Each gathering brings new opportunities to help one another do this just a little bit better.