Introduction

As church leaders in the Western Church, we will face idols of many kinds.

One of the most pervasive in American culture is the idol of "individualism." This is not only engrained in our modern cultural narrative but finds itself part of our historical myth. This makes the Western church a difficult space for true discipleship to Jesus to flourish on many levels. We will prioritize our personal freedoms and beliefs over the collective, and we experience that in our House Churches as well. Which feeds into the prioritization of the "individual's" schedules, lives, relationships, preferences, and dreams. 

While the Scriptures do emphasize a personal response and relationship with Jesus, the Biblical authors could not imagine a faith that does not include the collective that we are largely part of. You see this in the Apostle Paul's resounding reminder towards unity in the church (Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 3:16, 1 Cor. 1:10). Yet this call holds the biblical vision of kingdom family central to the story. Jesus establishes a radical vision for kingdom family in Matthew 12:46-50 when he establishes his mothers, brothers, and sisters as those who do the will of the Father. There is a familial vision for the church, and that is not a light suggestion from Jesus. Given the context in the greco-roman world and in the ancient Near East, this is a beautiful vision for all followers of Jesus to enter into.