Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president

A few years ago, Johns Hopkins conducted a study on medical teams preparing for surgery. For several years, the studies revealed that, in many cases, the medical teams didn’t know each other’s names before starting the procedure.

However, a 2001 study found that when teams gathered beforehand to introduce themselves and share any concerns about the upcoming surgery, the likelihood of complications—and even patient mortality—dropped by 35 percent. I haven’t had any major surgeries recently, but if and when I do, I’m going to ask the team if they took the time to connect first—because I like those odds much better. Don’t you?

But let’s think for a moment about other possible implications.

Would knowing our neighbors’ names and concerns help improve the spirit of our neighborhoods? Would knowing our coworkers’ names and life concerns create a better workplace environment? Would understanding more about the people we interact with help us be less judgmental? Would knowing our fellow church members on a deeper level help us—and them—in our walk with God?

I believe there are many ways this principle applies to our daily lives as Christians.

Building deeper connections within our church community could transform how we see one another—and even how the world sees Christianity. In Acts 2 and the chapters that follow, we read that the early church worshiped from house to house. They fellowshipped, shared meals, and prayed together. Then, in Acts 2:47, we find these words:

"Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

All of this happened because the Holy Spirit was active in the church. As a result, God’s people knew Him—and they knew each other. And because of that, people came to know Jesus daily. The impact was profound.

Let’s take this to heart. Let’s get to know our neighbors, our coworkers, and our fellow church members.

And most importantly, let’s seek the Holy Spirit’s transformation in our lives each day—so that not only will spiritual "mortality rates" decline, but more people will be saved when Jesus comes again.