Philippians 1:7-8 NLT
[7] “So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. [8] God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.”

The Philippian church as a whole was bound to Paul with a love and loyalty so strong that, together, they formed a formidable team forged by unity. This unity of heart and function was the secret not only of of Paul’s effectiveness as a missionary against all odds but also a powerful force against the kingdom of darkness.

However he did it, Paul must have kept in touch with this church, telling them of his goings and doings. Since he treasured this partnership and the fellowship they shared through a strong bond of love, he shared his life with them so that their prayers would follow and support him in every situation and circumstance he faced.

What a comfort for him to know that he was never alone! He had the Spirit within to guide and empower him; he had companions that accompanied him as he traversed the Roman empire; and he had a loyal church behind him in love and prayer. What else did he need for a powerful and effective ministry?

Let’s put Paul’s experience into the modern-day church.

Much of the time, many churches are more like a ball game than a family…, the pastor a star player on the field and the congregation the spectators on the grandstand. The pastor’s performance is closely watched and applauded or condemned according to the spectators’ opinions.

Many churches mostly function on events and programmes carefully planned and supervised by the leader/leaders who are accountable to nobody. The church belongs to the hierarchy and what it says goes.

Prayer in the church may or may not be a part of the programme but must fit into the agenda of activities and functions. The daily activies of the leader in the execution of his ministry, together with his challenges and struggles, are of little concern to the people. They don’t know what he does or how he gets through all the calls on him together with his functions as a leader. Sometimes, he is even elevated above the people and unapproachable without an appointment, like a lawyer or doctor who functions by consultation.

Am I painting an accurate picture of some church groups?

Paul’s picture is very different from our concept of “church” today. Paul’s church was a team, all believers together on the playing field, each doing his/her part to win the game.

This “team” was also a family, each one caring for and living in harmony with every other member of the team. They knew one another, loved one another, provided for each other, ministered to each other, and handled their differences with humility, tolerance, patience, and forgiveness, working to maintain their unity which was the core of their strength.

The leader was captain of the team, his function to lead by example, serving through his spiritual gift/gifts and teaching others to do the same. Together, they were a formidable group that made steady inroads into their ungodly society, bringing change and new life to many people through the gospel.

What of the modern church? Is every local congregation a powerful team of unity and fellowship, making a difference in its community through living God’s Word and trusting the Holy Spirit?

What if God’s people returned to the template of the local church given to us by example in the New Testament? What if the church became, once again, a close-knit family…loving, caring, and participating in each other’s lives through prayer and fellowship, each believer living out the power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus in his/her life?

Prayer and fellowship! That’s the key to a powerful, effective, and growing influence the local church can have on any community. That’s the witness that speaks loudly of the power of the gospel of Jesus to change lives and transform a community into a law-abiding, integrated group of people.

This transformation can never happen through church “clubs” or “organisations”, but only through living organisms…being the church through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them.