The Tribe We Are Called To
Tim Brown is a retired New York City firefighter and a September 11 survivor. After living through the devastating events of that day and its long-reaching aftermath, Tim has turned his grief and experience into sacrificial service to others.
In his recently released book, The Greatest Love, he speaks about the importance of finding a mission bigger than ourselves—and making sure we never serve alone. He writes about the unique bond shared by firefighters and the way that shared mission creates something deeper than simply working together. They are bound together by love, sacrifice, trust, and a commitment to something larger than themselves.
That idea points to a powerful truth: some of the greatest expressions of love happen when people stand and serve together. In times of crisis and in the ordinary responsibilities of daily life, we are reminded that we are stronger together than we could ever be alone.
Every cause, belief system, and movement naturally forms a community. When people unite around a shared vision, a distinct identity begins to take root. People gather around shared convictions, values, and beliefs that they consider worth living for—and sometimes worth fighting for.
Christianity is no different, yet it operates on an infinitely grander scale.
Jesus doesn’t merely call isolated individuals to follow Him. He gathers a people to represent Him and participate in His redemptive mission in the world.
The Jesus Way
Gathered for Mission
During His three years of public ministry, Jesus gathered twelve disciples around Himself.
We see this in Mark 1:16–20:
“And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
Jesus continued His journey and called James and John, who also left their father and their work behind to follow Him.
Think about this for a moment.
Jesus possessed all power and authority as the Author of creation, yet He chose not to carry out His earthly mission in isolation.
He gathered people around Himself.
He taught them. He lived with them. He served alongside them. He allowed them to observe His life firsthand and eventually entrusted them with His message.
Jesus was showing us something about the way God works.
We were never designed to follow Christ alone.
We were designed to live as His people—and to be a light in our city together.
The Privilege of Community
Growing Together
Within this divine community, each of us is being transformed as God writes us more deeply into His Story. This is where God shapes us, challenges us, encourages us, and conforms us to the image of Christ. Growing into Christlikeness—doesn’t happen in isolation.
Our shared life together reveals areas where we need grace. It gives us people who can challenge us when we need correction, encourage us when we’re discouraged, and walk beside us when life becomes difficult.
Our Mutual Responsibility
Stirring Up One Another
Belonging to a community carries responsibility.
Hebrews 10:24–25 says:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 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.”
Christian community requires intentional participation. We gather because we need one another. And we gather because others need us.
We pay attention to one another.
We notice when someone is struggling.
We share in one another's joys and burdens.
We encourage one another toward action.
We inspire one another to serve Christ in our neighborhoods, workplaces, families, and vocations.
Life can be difficult. Following Christ can be difficult. We need people who will remind us of what is true when our circumstances tempt us to forget. This is what divine community does. It reminds us that we don't have to walk alone.
Joining the Greatest Mission on Earth
When we understand the overarching Story of God, our view of everyday life is fundamentally transformed. We discover that our lives are not random, isolated stories. We have been invited into God's Story.
And we have the incredible privilege of participating in His mission—the restoration of all things through the power of the Gospel. We get to join the team. We get to play our unique role. And we get to do it alongside brothers and sisters in Christ.
That's one of the beautiful things about the Church. God doesn't simply save individuals and leave them on their own. He brings us into a family. He gives us brothers and sisters. He gives us a community where we can grow, serve, struggle, encourage, correct, forgive, and love one another.
And then He sends us together into the world.
So, why am I a Christian?
Because when we are in Christ, we become part of a divine community—ordained by God to do life together and participate in His mission.
God has called us into His Story, and He has called us into His family.
We are stronger together.
We are better together.
And together, as the people of God, we get to participate in the greatest mission on earth.