Wednesday, May 13, 2009

community

If there's one note missing from much of our Christianity over the centuries, and in the present day in my culture, it's the note of community. We're to be a community in Jesus. Too often an emphasis on the individual which has philosophical origin, has all but muted out the Biblical emphasis on community. The individual is still important, but as an important part of the whole, the community.

Of course there are often other missing notes as well. Take for example what Scot McKnight calls, "the Jesus Creed." But back to our thought now.

I am blessed to be in community everyday at work with other Christians. We live together as believers in our Lord. I miss contact with those who are not Christians. Though a few come in to do specific jobs there. But I also don't want to take for granted the blessing I have in being around fellow believers day after day.

I think what we chiefly need to do as followers of Jesus in regard to community is to keep meeting together, on a regular basis. When we do, and even before that (as Byard has taught us here, on Sundays), the Spirit is at work to make us a Body. That will minister to each other, and indirectly as well as directly- to the world.

This is a God-thing. Not something we can come up with, not program-oriented, not according to what we plan. Our one responsibility is to live as those who are joined not only to Christ, but to all who are in Christ. We need to live that out in practical ways, before the world. While reaching out to others to become a part of us, in Jesus.

What would you like to add to these few thoughts on this?

7 comments:

nannykim said...

So true--Bonhoeffer (sp?) explored this some. I think the way a church is structured can aid community. Our church has small groups or start groups; my son's church has community groups; my daughter's church has shepherd groups. All of these really are great----each of us attend these and it has enabled indepth friendships. It has helped greatly in forming the sense of community--caring , praying, for one another....a sense of family.

Anonymous said...

my comment is on my post today.

Anonymous said...

indeed...all of us together with Him.

God will see you through.

i really appreciate that it is because of the faith of both of you and all of us together by the Grace of God.

i wanted to express how much i Love the two of you just the way you are. with all the ups and downs you still express God's Love.

i see it in your writing, but, i am sure that others see it in other ways.

n.

Lanny said...

That would be a big Amen.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nannykim,
Yes, Bonhoeffer is one of my all time favorites, as is his book, "Life Together," which specifically explores Christian community.

Yes. Our church is good at fellowship, though we have had a lull in small groups lately. If you knew what our church has gone through, you'd understand, but I so much agree that you might say the lifeblood of a church is found in the small groups. Or where important Body life occurs.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Thanks. I sure hope so. I think for the most part by the grace of God people see something of that in his children who endeavor to walk with him.

We do have to remember that "the Jesus Creed" is at the heart of what we're about.

Wonderful poem on your blog. Thanks. And I like your poem just preceding that as well. And others!

You are a blessing!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Thanks, Lanny for the big Amen! Hope you're having a nice Spring.