Reunions are Memory Makers

 For the past seven years, when I have travelled, it has been purposeful. It has been for a reunion, a writer’s conference, an English teacher’s conference, or volunteering with National Bible Bowl (a Bible quiz tournament). It was difficult to watch people gather in other states at those events while I stayed locked in my home in Los Angeles in both 2020 and 2021. Although some of my events were on Zoom, there is something unique and life affirming and possibly life changing of meeting in person. 

When I discovered that there would be a reunion for my college that closed in 2019, I hoped I would be able to attend in-person. When we first hear the word, “reunion,” we immediately flashback to the memories that we had together. We reminisce and live just a little bit in the past. It’s good to remember the past, especially the fun and people who helped shaped us into who we are today. What I have discovered is that reunions can also create memory makers for the future. 

I love to travel. I love to explore places that are new, along with places where I have visited before or have lived in my past. In the places where I lived, I developed friendships that have lasted since I moved. When I return to those friends, we gather for meals, talk, reunions, and enjoy the company of each other. I remember why I have a fondness of the place, but I also remember that I have a strength that is beyond human strength. Our faith in God has tied us together. 

I enjoy reminiscing but discovering how my friends have grown in Christ and the risks that they have taken in their faith is empowering to my own life. Jesus ties us together. I know that many people will claim that we will be together after death and in heaven. That is true, but sometimes we need encouragement here on earth. I never realized how much others influenced my faith, which is why as Christians we must be in community, and the communities must become healthy. 

As much trouble my college went through while I was there, our leaders were strong and healthy in their own faith, which kept us growing in Christ. Like one of my friends said, we were protected from some of the worst of it, which for our spiritual growth, we needed to be. We also didn’t need to know specifics for our gossipy mouths. What I have realized with this reunion and the reunion in 2019 is the importance of our churches being healthy. 

First, our churches must impart true community. Control divides and separates. Grace brings unity. I don’t need to be punished or excommunicated from the church for the sin I have committed, while others in the church, many times as leaders, are committing the same sins. We all must show grace to one another and encourage one another of how we can live in the life of Christ. Human beings do not determine my faith in Christ. There are not levels of Christianity. I was taught that my whole life, and it is incorrect. 

There are people who understand the love and grace of Christ immediately when they give their lives to Him. Others take a bit longer to understand faith. That does not create levels in faith. It describes the faith journey that is different for everyone. Paul describes the order of gifts in Romans. He does not describe the order of faith. Just because someone has a gift in a high order does not mean that person has more faith or is a “better” Christian. Paul also claims that the gifts that we don’t always see are sometimes more important than the ones that we do see. 

Faith is not a competition. There is no such thing as a “better” Christian. There are just people who have had to use much faith in their lives because of circumstances that have created it. Others have not acknowledged the faith that they have used in their lives. These are the ones that continue to live their lives as if Christianity is a competition. Jesus even claimed that the person with the most faith is like a young child. It is the one who has small faith that grows. 

To have true community in our churches, we must encourage and empower people to grow in their faith. That does not always mean growing in knowledge, but it means listening and understanding where people are and building relationships with them where they are. In college, our professors challenged us on our knowledge. The groups we joined, our internships, and our relationships challenged our faith. 

We must build relationships with people in our churches beyond Sunday mornings. I wrote an article on how Bible Bowl does that with teenagers. Our youth ministries strive to have young people build relationships with one another. Then, when they become adults, we falter. The elderly people have great communities. Why do we have great community when we are young and old? What happens in the middle?  We become so focused on how we present our faith to others that we forget people care more about who we are, not who we pretend to be. 

In college, one of my favorite people, Dr. David Roadcup, reminded us weekly to be authentic. I never knew how important that was until I worked in youth ministry. You can’t be fake around teenagers. They can smell out a fake within ten seconds. We all sin. No one is perfect. When you meet with someone, and they begin to expound their flaws or sins, share yours. You will find that being authentic brings respect, love, and faith. Dr. Roadcup was correct. Authenticity is a must in any ministry and in any church. 

Along with authenticity, we must tear down the barriers of disunity and build bridges. Our churches must build bridges with those teenagers who love one another and with the elderly who always have parties. When my home church was thriving, I remember Sunday School classes, now considered small groups, would have parties and events. Holidays are a great time for your small groups to gather in fellowship. People are searching for true community. It comes when we celebrate with one another. 

This week reminded me that my faith in Christ is built because of the people that God put in my life. We empower and encourage one another. Hebrews tells us to encourage one another for the day is coming. In that day, we will have a reunion. No one will compete for who has the most faith. We will gather because of our faith. May we find the blessings we have in our friendships. 

Discover those in your church that need community. You will be surprised. Love. Love covers over a multitude of sins. Let us love one another for that day of that reunion will be a day of true rejoicing.