Kingfisher Church of Christ
Kingfisher, Oklahoma.

SPIRITUAL NETWORKS                                                                           Ken Richter

 It’s June, and for me that means stirring up the embers of some old friendships.  

Church camp season means spending time with people I’ve been blessed to know for about 10 years. They might be fellow staff members, former campers who are college students or even raising families of their own, or still young and working their way through their teen years. I’ll see all these people at camps, lectureships, the Lambert Tournament and other occasions. We’ll talk about good times and get caught up on the whereabouts and activities of mutual friends. The bonds of camp and the church will remain strong, and will be celebrated even in unspoken ways.  

Often the bonds of camp will intertwine with another family of friends, that being fellow alums of Oklahoma Christian. Kim and I stopped being amazed years ago how few “degrees of separation” exist between us and just about any member of the church we meet due to attending a Christian college. Almost everywhere we go, we’ll find an OC link somehow.  

Many of you have very similar circles of fellowship due to past participation in youth groups, camp, college, state or hometown, individual congregations, etc. Don’t ever take for granted the power of these relationships. Never underestimate your positive effect on someone’s life, even if your influence was decades ago.  

The beautiful part of this reality is that God expressly intended for these things to take place. Refresh yourself with the first chapters of just about every New Testament epistle. Let your heart be warmed by the love, concern and fond memories that inspired writers expressed to congregations, cities and entire regions.  

My favorite of these passages is what Paul wrote to the church at Philippi: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6) That passage says it all! We will never be lacking of spiritual friends who pray for our confidence and purpose in life if we remain true to the Father. God intends for us to enjoy and maintain spiritual networks.  

Praise God for the bonds of family, however they began and wherever they are found. Stir those embers of love whenever you can. Of all your circle of friends and acquaintances…these are the ones that are eternal!

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