In pursuit of koinonia, we will need to extend grace and mercy to one another. Just as we must extend grace in coming into fellowship with those who we do not agree with in certain doctrines or methods, we must keep in mind that they are doing the same with us. After we have built some trust, we may start discussing issues we disagree on. The stronger the bridge of trust is, the greater the weight that can be carried by it and the deeper we may go with these issues. We have sound biblical wisdom...

       How can we not love the body of Christ? It certainly has flaws and shortcomings, but it is also the most unique and interesting entity on the planet when taken as a whole. This is why I have pursued (and am thankful to have done so) relationships with those in denominations and movements across the spectrum of the body of Christ. I have learned much from almost all of them. I disagree with many of them on some things, and some of these disagreements are great, but that does not negate appreciating the good things about them....

          Last week we discussed how the church is still so far from what it is called to be, and yet this also gives us an ultimate opportunity—could we begin a momentum that would actually hasten the coming of the day of the Lord?

         Remember Don Potter’s observation about weddings? It is a great miracle how the bride can look like such a disaster just minutes before the ceremony starts and then suddenly appear looking so perfectly beautiful. Maybe it will be that way with the bride of Christ. What is more...

         My studies and experience in the body of Christ for the last forty plus years indicate to me that the church today is less than 10% of what God called it to be. This is very encouraging to me because of the incredible upside. Even in its present state, the church is overall the most powerful entity in the world today, by far. What will it be like when we become 20% of what we are called to be? How about 30% or 100%?

         Compared to what the church is called to be we are,...

        We have been covering how having koinonia is essential for the true New Covenant life for fulfilling The Great Commission to make disciples, not merely converts. In the New Testament, every new believer’s discipleship began with being “added to the church.” There simply is no other biblical way to walk with God that does not also include being connected to the body of Christ as a member of His church. We cannot be properly connected to the Head without also being properly connected to His body.

         Church life is required for discipleship in Christ. Books...