Developing Supporting Ligaments

The TrueCity conference offered us the opportunity to practice being the Church in Hamilton. It provided us with a space where we could connect across the boundaries of our various congregations; where we could learn from each other and explore possibilities for on-going collaboration. It is an opportunity that continues to be open to us, but one that demands time and energy to nurture. The challenge is to develop our ability to connect with each other in ways that result in greater vibrancy within our local congregational expressions while simultaneously building bridges between us. It is the challenge of developing our supporting ligaments.

What we now call TrueCity grew out of a shared conviction and a shared dream—

• a conviction that churches have something unique to offer to their communities and this city.
• A dream of churches connecting in ways that allow them to learn from each other and collaborate so that they grow stronger as local congregations even as they bless their neighbourhoods and this city

It is a dream inspired by scriptures such as Ephesians 4:16— From him the whole body, joined together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ligaments are the bands which hold our bones together at the joints – they enable the different parts of our body to work in tandem, and that is what TrueCity is at its core. It is a series of relationships that connect one part of the body to another, one bone to another so that the body “builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” By practicing good “supporting ligament” disciplines with each other we live out God’s desire for his Church and, by extension, for this city.

Over this past year, seven churches have taken this dream to a deeper level by entering into covenant relationships with each other. Others are moving in the same direction. Changes in our city and neighbourhoods are causing many to reconsider what it means to be church here, and to realize that trying to “go it alone” does not reflect how God does things. Immanuel (God With Us) has called us as congregational communities to join Him in His mission here in Hamilton and in so doing, to be with Jesus together.

So when you hear about opportunities to come together—to pack backpacks or ride in the Ride for Refugees or come together for a conference—look at these as places to strengthen the supporting ligaments. When you have the opportunity to be part of a Focus Team—representing your church so we can learn from each other and figure out ways to work with each other, see this as a way in which the body is held together and built up for works of service. It will not be easy. But ligaments are essential to the Body and, as Paul says, when we allow ourselves and our congregations to be joined together

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16