Since the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic life has changed for most of us. We have experienced a lonelier, less connected life as we shy away from gatherings and fellowship. This has been especially hard on those whose social lives have revolved around the local church. We have felt abandoned and isolated. While grieving our loss many of us could relate to the words of that poignant spiritual, “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child.”

Since at least the times of St. Augustine, “Mother Church” has been a term to refer to the Christian Church as a mother in her functions of nourishing and protecting the believer.  No wonder so many of us of all ages are feeling like orphans. We miss the presence and nurturing influence of our mother church.

We hear a lot about influencers these days, but the first and most powerful influencer in most of our lives is our mother. No mere social media celebrity, she oversees the formation of our personalities and values. The same can be said of the church.

²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:42 (NKJV)

Especially in turbulent times like these, Christians need the influence of fellow believers in order to be stirred up to love and good works, to spiritual maturity, and Christlikeness.

Next month we will celebrate Mother’s Day in the USA. I pray that most of us will be able to mark that day in the bosom of our Christian family as we honor both our earthly mothers and the nurturing church fellowship that influences our daily lives.