Community - a Place of Relationships

The church is to be “community.” We call this many things: Koinonia, Fellowship, Connecting, Care, Friendship, Love.
Community is something that everyone speaks about. We say our churches are great at community, but often we are lacking. Consider the following scenario: As you are walking down the hallway of church someone passes and says, “Hi, How are you?” What do you answer? Most of us say “Good” or “Fine.” And the comment is then reciprocated. But what happens if you say “Terrible!”?
The point is that most of our relationships are superficial. We need to go deeper in our conversations – at least deep enough to listen. Only when we really listen … and respond, do we really build community.
There are many levels to community. The first is that we are in the same room and the same time. Second is perhaps I know your face. Third is that I know your name. Fourth is that I begin to speak to you. Fifth is that I actually listen to you. Sixth is that I respond. Seventh is that speaking, hearing and responding occurs several cycles. Then, a wonderful thing will begin to happen.
That thing is called Trust. When trust occurs, the best types of friendships happen. We begin to become transparent, and share further, because we do not have to fear embarrassment.
In a recent conference at Ridgecrest, it was mentioned that it is important, if we are to build Biblical Community with Post-Moderns, contacts need to be made several times per week. This can happen in worship. Contact in a small group (Sunday School) is even more important because it is a place people talk and discuss. Then Phone calls, Lunches, e-mails and face-book contacts are important.
Churches need to build community. We are a great place between work and home.
- Community should encourage honesty, authenticity, and freedom to ask questions
- Community should endorse connection between personal convictions and actions.
- Community should be a place where it is ok to not know all the answers.
- Connections in community should be full of personal illustrations and life application.
The real world needs community. In many of our churches there are layers one must cut through to become an “insider” in the community. We often demand that one Believes like we believe and Behaves according to our standards before we let them belong to our community. We must switch this around if we are going to reach our world. We need to invite people to Belong. As part of the community we relate to each other through Care and Friendship. As we relate they will discover what we Believe, and when they understand that, they will respond by Behaving as God desires.
Community, what does your community look like. How hard is it for someone to break into your community? Read John 4:35 and Luke 19:10 – see what Jesus asks us to do.