The Power of Relationships

This is the first in a four part series I wrote as a guest blogger for Shepherding the Next Generation. You can read the original blog here.


Guest Post: The Power of Relationships
October 18th, 2012 by Blythe Scott
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a four-part series by Blythe Scott, the City Partnership Coordinator at The District Church, located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C.  In this series, Blythe explores what it means for the Church to strengthen and restore families.

Washington, D.C. is filled with numerous volunteer opportunities. Non-profits and direct service projects are everywhere, so it’s easy to volunteer on a one-time basis, see the immediate fruit of that work, and walk away. However, it is quite a different experience to invest consistently in the lives of others who are struggling.

As a person who looks at the “big picture,” it is my instinct to go right to the big, sweeping gestures that can change the world tomorrow. I have witnessed some impressive, large-scale movements do amazing things for the Kingdom, but I believe that we as the Church need to learn how to slow down and to live more simply by following Christ’s example. This is not to say that we should not advocate for the broken in a large-scale way (I feel called to do that as well), but the past couple of years- especially through the example of pastors and others in my life – I have seen how powerful it is when we truly invest in and disciple one another. Through Christ’s own life, we see that is through deep, invested relationships that the world is changed.

So, how can the Church strengthen and restore families? By seeking out relationships with those who are struggling — despite how intimidating and tiring this process may be. I learn this lesson daily, and it is hard. It requires us to overcome our self-focused nature and to step outside of our comfort zone. It requires spending time with those who may be different from us – just as Jesus modeled for us in His relationships with His disciples.

In order to create these relationships, we must boldly and confidently follow the calling God has set out for us. We must be willing to cross boundaries, step over man-made barriers, and overcome human hesitations and discomfort. We must allow ourselves to be vulnerable with others, whether with a close friend or a co-worker who is struggling with a broken family. All it takes is willingness for a certain depth and vulnerability on our part to help address the pain and brokenness in a family. This does not undervalue the process; in truly vulnerable and dedicated relationships, there will be hard times. I believe that in our world today, making the time for consistent relationships is not what many of us prioritize, and I am not the exception.

God calls us to love the least of these. He calls us to live differently, to unite together in Christ and to seek something better for our neighborhoods, our towns, our cities and our country.  The family is the most influential force in our lives, and therefore we are called to support and strengthen families. To do that, we must be willing to be vulnerable and to cross cultural, racial, and socioeconomic boundaries to build relationships. It is not enough to just give advice to someone when they do not know or trust you (believe me I’ve tried!) You cannot expect someone to go to a parenting class or to go listen to a speaker when you do not know or have some sort of relationship with them.

Where do you start? Create space in your lives for these relationships, invest in others, and truly disciple others.