There is "guilt by association" and "privilege by association" and "shame by association". I guess you can get tagged with just about anything by association. I have had lots of it through the years- both the good and the bad. I have been able to get special seats at sporting events because of my relationship with VIPs in the sporting world. [It has never been because of my athletic prowess, which is thoroughly lacking.] That is special treatment or privilege by association. I’m less enthusiastic about guilt by association- the time I went to a not-so-reputable-establishment to rescue a person who was falling off a wagon I had helped him board. In the process of doing the good deed a fight broke out. It was only after convincing police that I was not part of the rabble-rousing I was able to thankfully free myself from potential trouble. That was a hair’s breadth from "guilt by association."
Peter had to squirm and lie and still failed to break association with Jesus on the night of Jesus’ arrest. He was, to his own chagrin, trying to shake the association. Jason, poor Jason, was dragged out of his house, arrested and had to post bond only because Paul and Silas could not be found (Acts 17:5-9) and he hosted them. The poor guy was not even the one sought. He just turned out to be available for arrest and a good old fashioned shellacking.
But, in great measure, our associations in the body of Christ will be a double edged sword. The same disciples who were arrested or beaten because of their association with Jesus (Peter, John, James, Paul to name a few) also drew sizable crowds of enthusiastic supporters because of their association with Jesus (Acts 2-8 notably).
Today, association with the Jesus Christ is a similarly mixed bag. Nothing has changed much in 21 centuries. I have heard, "Oh, you’re a Christian" expressed with at least three sentiments: "I’m finished listening to you- you fundamentalist", "I just found a real Christian and want to know more", and "hey, its a brother in the Lord." Pastors reading this have heard the sentiment to further extremes, "Oh, you’re a pastor." That also carries with it three sentiments: "I have some spiritual questions and your the expert I’m expecting expert answers," "I’m honored to be with a godly person, should I call you father or reverend" or "here’s a chief of the world’s greatest hypocrites." Even writing this makes me laugh as I remember experiences of each.
I say this because we will always have mixed benefits and hurdles because of our association with Jesus and his bride. But, as I weigh it all, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Jesus received praise and adulation. He also was scourged and ridiculed. He promised that we would get more of the same (John 15). On the one hand, we experience great benefits associated with this great connection. On the other hand, we have the privilege of showing the world that we are not following Him for fame, popularity or cushy lives by hanging onto his coat tails. If the association was all sweetness, it would lose some power.
I’ve had multiple responses to being a leader in a denomination in a day of independence. I have had multiple responses to being a "Methodist" with connotations that exceed this blog’s capacity. I have had varied responses to being a "Free Methodist" with all of its good heritage and baggage (perceived or real). But, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I look around and like the association in the body of Christ and with this particular family. Right now, as our family is in a crisis, we are in a season of receiving some of the best perks of this association. We have a world-wide family that is helping lift up our tired arms. We have a small army of faithful friends cheering us on with incredible support. We have people beyond our knowledge who are interceding for us and we have seen answers to their prayers. I’ll take the guilt, privilege, shame and benefit of this association. Gracias compadres.