Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock… for the care of the church of God. – Acts 20:28

Paul exhorts the elders of the church, in today’s passage, to pay careful attention to themselves and to their congregation. He encourages the elders to care for the people so that they thrive. 

A church body needs to be the safest place people can be. As loving members of the family of faith, leaders and members of the church are concerned for one another, and seek to ensure they thrive. A church is a place of support, encouragement, and strength in hard times. Hopefully, if you have been in a body of believers for any length of time, you have benefited from the support the church family provides, and you have had the opportunity to be a comfort to others.  

While there will be occasional disagreement, as in any family, the focus on and dedication to the Lord and His love transcends squabbles. Someone once said, “The ark may have been stinky at times, but it was the only boat afloat.” While it is not perfect, the church is like the ark, offering spiritual, physical, and mental provision. Thank God for your fellowship of believers and recognize how important they are.  

Synergy is when a group’s combined effect is greater than the sum of their separate parts. The church is powerful, not only in how members help and support each other but in the spiritual power that grows exponentially when believers unite in worship and prayer. Pray for the church to be what God intends it to be, a light in a dark world. Intercede for people of faith to exercise their right to vote in the midterms, and ask the Lord to bless and strengthen the church in the United States, to His glory.