Community
What is Christian Community? This is my question lately. I am not sure who reads this blog these days, but if you read this would you kindly respond with what you believe Christian Community is or what you believe it should be? After there are some responses, I will write more to dig deeper into this idea. The reason I am thinking about this is that I am not sure how I could be involved in so many "churches" and know so few people. And it's not that I don't know anyone, I have 100's of acquaintance friends, but I know so few people deeper than mere trivial, surface conversations. I want to know how to take community to the level that the Bible speaks about and I would love to hear other people's experiences and finding "True Community". So there you have it, what is should "Community" look like to a Christ-follower?
posted by Ty @ 8:55 PM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
Ty,
That's a tough question. What I'm hearing from you isn't so much a question about Christian community, but more simply "how can I connect in a more meaningful way with others and make really good friends?" I could just be projecting, because that is my question too...
One of the key ingredients, in my mind, is time. It takes me awhile to really connect with people...and sadly because my life has been so transient these past few years, that means people leave (or we do) before I have the chance to really get to know someone. I have a few friends from college I feel connected to, and a few more from high school...but that's about it.
What makes me feel connected with people is usually the simple stuff of every day life...cooking/eating meals with each other. Watching a movie. Talking about it afterward. Sharing whatever thoughts come to mind, whether they are silly, deep, or in between. Laughing. Sadness. All that good stuff. I've come to believe its absolutely essential.
I think it involves a massive amount of intentionality- in both a personal and programmatic way. Community is defined in so many ways, so the bar has to be set with what defines community. Is it the amount of small groups? The amount who attend small groups? Is it about close friends? Is it truly about "doing life together"?
Most churches don't develop "life together" community because 1. so few people have experienced it to begin with 2. Hard to quantify 3. You have to lead by example 4. Too Busy! (I agree it takes time)
Acts 2 is hard to reproduce, but it isn't impossible.
Ty,
I have been looking at your blog for a while and want you to know that I really enjoy your writing and your style. You have great insight into youth ministry and I would like to be able to share your insight with others working with youth.
I was wondering if you might be interested in contributing to the resource library of the website of the ministry that I work with. You can check out the resource library here> www.calledtoyouthministry.com/resources and if you choose to contribute, you can do so on the contribute page.
I would love to see you contribute a piece about balancing family life and youth ministry.
Thank you so much for your work and your writing.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
God bless,
Betsy
betsy@calledtoyouthministry.com
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