Community is a pretty common buzzword these days. You may remember it by such words as fellowship, body life or pot luck. But what is real biblical community and how does it translate into today? We live in an increasingly segmented society. I could stay in my home and only leave to buy the supplies I can’t get on ebay and to feed. To survive we really don’t need other people.
The Gospel calls us to a different kind of life; a life where we are one crucial piece in a greater whole. Some are pastors, teachers, church planters and some are singers, builders, encouragers, cooks but when it all comes down to it we are all ministers in some form or another. The question is not should I get involved the question is where is my place?
This different kind of life is lived with others, not against them. Unity within the Body of Christ is so highlighted in the New Testament one might think it is a pillar of the faith. Christ said we will be known by the love we have for other Christians. Are we still hearing this or are we to busy critiquing the sermon to hear the message? I am convinced that Love is the center of community. It is not bowling every Tuesday or even worshiping on Thursday evening or Sunday morning. I can “do life” with someone 24/7 and never be in community with them. Love for others, whatever the context, is the seed of community.
Biblical community is always looking to Christ and pointing others there too. As a body we are pointing back to the source of this love which is Christ. Our new kind of life does not spring up from our own effort and neither does unity. Does a body survive without a head? Can a fellowship stand without a goal? Lord of the Rings would be a right silly book if an elf, a wizard, 2 men, 4 hobbits and 1 dwarf got together and played cribbage. The body of Christ needs a bigger goal that just being together. I think the great commission is a pretty good one to start with :-)
I know this list is not complete but I do not intend it to be. What else would you add? How else could we foster unity in the Body? Are you sick of the word community?
Talk amongst yourselves
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4 comments:
great thoughts, love is really the greatest of these. a part of love that people do not understand is compassion. today as much as people love, many are not compassionate. we do not understand how people can be so "stupid" to harm their own body with drugs. we make harsh comments to those living in homosexuality. anyone who is obese must have a problem with eating and not exercising.
"some say love it is a river"
I went to a citywide Pastor's appreciation dinner this week. The guy who spoke to the pastor's talked about how ridiculous it is that local churches claim to be "one in spirit" or whatever, but don't do anything together. Ok, so maybe you could say that the problem is denomination? Nope: consider Marion, IN and the 73 Wesleyan churches.
I wish denominations would rot in heck.
Indeed Mr. Gentry. I too have seen this lack of love plagueing society. But what I've seen as the root is selfishness. How can someone truly love another if they are only "thinking of themselves". Wait, my apologies for the cliche. Thinking only of themselves can manifest in different ways, not just the very obviously selfish person you see. Take for example the person who monopolizes a conversation. This person is happier talking about themselves and their problems/joys/stories than they are listening to the other person. Ever meet someone who always turns the conversation back on themselves, even at the risk of making bad transitions? I think we need to try really hard at listening to others (even when we dont want to), caring what others say (if only because its important to them), and understanding their thoughts (by putting ourselves in their place). By allowing, or forcing, ourselves to do this, we will open up a conduit for love to flow through... God's love to flow through.
I appreciated your comments on community. Kasey and I have also been discussing this notion of community, particularly as it relates to her RAs. What I believe to be the most important part of community--and you addressed it at the end of your post--is that there is a common goal shared by the members.
To travel down that trite road, the church is not a social club. Our common goal should be a concern for the preaching of the word or God, the organization of the community, and the well-being of our members and those "withing our spheres of influence." NOTE: I know the other facet is the administration of the sacraments, but laity should leave that to clergy (you pastors would agree).
Perhaps our restoration and perfection in love is also a restoration of community and perfection of charity, as Nate commented. Each of us has our part in that. This is my second point. The parts have to connect to the whole. Each person in the community has his or her part, which he or she must be doing to fulness that God grants that person. This truth is Kasey's biggest complaint about her RAs, who do not contribute their parts to the larger whole and good of the order.
Ultimately, what made our ministries so successful at Bowman was that we all bought into the common goal of the House and that we all contributed our share in the ministry. I pray that each of you can experience this community anew in your ministries.
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