When I was a kid, family life was simple. There was mum, dad and my three brothers. We saw the grandparents and the cousins too, pretty regularly, until they moved away from Dapto (why would anyone do that!?).
But as families grow they get more complicated. At Christmas time now we travel between my family and Kate’s. There are more and more kids to include and consider each year. We have to make sure the diaries line up for the occasional birthday get together. It won’t be long before our children have their own events they want to be at and we have to consult their diaries too. It is truly wonderful to be part of a large and growing family, but sometimes I hark back to the simplicity of those earlier days.
I anticipate our Church might feel a bit like that as we grow. It becomes more and more difficult to know everyone’s name. We have to work harder and harder to make sure everyone feels included and cared for. We might have to implement systems and strategies because doing it ‘ad-hoc’ just doesn’t work anymore.
But isn’t it wonderful to see our family grow and flourish – as we strive to bring ‘Life, Growth and Love in Jesus Christ’ to as many people as possible.
