kayfromhome

What is community? 

50 years ago, this question would have been laughable. But 50 years ago, community came more naturally.  In the not so distant past, the world was “bigger.” People that lived in an area, generally stayed in that area.  They shared experiences with similar social circles, in familiar environments.  Many shared similar mindsets and beliefs.  It was common to marry the girl from church, or the boy next door; settle down and stay near home for work and raise a family.

In 50 short years, the world has shrunk. Technology brings us beyond our own small town.  Many move away for work, or college.  Transplants, like nomads, must create new communities for themselves, putting themselves at risk of never returning to their original community. They meet new people, form new relationships, and start new lives.

Starting from the beginning, transplants must work to allow themselves to be seen, known and accepted.  This makes community very difficult to create, and isolation much easier to fall into.

Western culture is individualistic.  I act for me.  I choose for me.  We learn, early on, to make decisions independent of one another.  Because the world is small, and opportunity great, we are no longer stuck with one another.  We don’t suffer the natural bonding of inescapable community living.  If I get offended, or bored, I can easily remove myself to another job, school or church.  Our independence has made us strong individuals.

Our independence has also made us lonely.

We are busy. Technological advancements have freed us up, not to have more time on our hands, but rather, to do more than before.

We operate individually and independent of one another.  We have independent schedules and independent television shows.  Gone are the days of a shared house phone.  We now have independent cellphones on which we hold independent conversations, and listen to our independently preferred music through our independent headphones.

In our quest to “make something” of ourselves, we have turned our independence into isolation.  It has become less natural for us to be together than it is for us to be apart.  We prefer texting to phone calls; emails to face-to-face lunch meetings.

We are no longer forced together with the natural binding of having limited options.  Our options have made us flight risks.  If we are unhappy or uncomfortable in any given situation, we now how the unlimited option to leave.

Churches, locally and as a whole, have taken notice.  Many have even taken action. We schedule greeters and give gifts to first time guests.  We create tiny, shared-interest communities to foster connection with those who have forgotten how to do it for themselves.  You may know them as connect groups, community groups or life groups.

Why is this so important?  Why do we bother?  With multiple forums to socialize comfortably and on my own terms, why would I ever risk talking to someone in person? Why does the church gather?

Community is more than gathering, but it is never less than.

1. Because God said so. He is more glorified by us collectively, than He is when we’re apart. (Hebrews 10:25) “Do not forsake the gathering of the brethren.”
   
   Why did He say that? Because He knew we would need reminding.
   When we gather we rehearse the gospel and remind one another of its truths. “Prone to wander, lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” We are never so prone to leave as when we want people to leave us well enough alone. We must gather with other believers to be surrounded by reminders of who God is and what He wants for us. We must rehearse the words of God and remind each other that regardless of everything, He is who He is and that will never change.
   
2. To serve one another. To bear one another’s burden. We cannot fulfill the the law of Christ without one another (Gal. 5:13 / 1 Peter 4:10).
   
   God is triune, in perfect harmony. He has modeled for us harmonious relationship. He has also created for us relationship, with Himself and each other! He never intended for us to live life alone. We are a people for God’s holy nation. We are a chosen race. A priesthood. He is more glorified by us collectively, than He is when we’re apart.
   
3. To create a place for those who don’t yet know him to come and learn about him. When we gather, we create a place for the not yet saved to encounter the changing love of Jesus Christ.
   
   We make a place for those who don’t yet know the truth and can’t yet recognize the truth, to come learn and experience the truth. When we meet together in corporate worship, we give them a place to get to know Jesus; to come in and find refuge, receive life changing, biblical teaching, and to experience a family; one who communes together, eats together, sings together and bears one another’s burdens.

We don’t got to church. We are the church. As we gather, God’s presence dwells and sits with us. We never have to go out and seek a new move of the spirit, because when we gather and move together, his spirit in us moves also.