How Attainable is Christian Community?

The Church's current pursuit of authentic Christian community is being signficantly hindered by the fact that, for the most part, we don't actually know what it is. Oh, we can quote scriptures and elucidate a theology of community (which I see as valuable, by the way), but when it comes right down to it -- we're handicapped in this area; so few of us have ever actually "experienced" community.

It was a recent post of Karl's that got me thinking again about all this. He has spawned another fascinating discussion -- this one dealing with unity (or the lack of it) as well as our pursuit (and avoidance) of biblical community. It's a worthy read.

Comments

[AngloBaptist]

Community is a word that is used in utopian visions these days. Christian community is not utopian. It is simply human. It is frought with conflict and strife. It is a place where resentments are bred like guppies.

But it is the place where Christ lives and the gospel is proclaimed. To seek it out is to idolize it. To live it, to live into it, to proclaim it alongside the church, now, that maight be something else entirely.

Here's an interesting link for you: www.richmondhillva.org

Peace and all good things

[Dan Edelen]

I just finished reading Joe Myers's "The Search to Belong" and was staggered by his contention that it is too much to ask of people to have them come into my actual house.

If this is how far we have fallen, then we can forget about community. If "hospitality" has become a four-letter word, the problem is grave. If the people out there are unable to get over the creeps of stepping into someone else's home, then perhaps we have lost the battle.

I believe that catering to the lowest common denominator in relatioships and community will never get us to where we have to be. If Christ has transforming power, then even the worst shrinking violet can have some backbone installed, at least enough to be able to withstand sitting on my living room couch. (We know that the churches in Africa, South America, and Asia don't have these problems, so maybe it's strictly a North American disease brought on by our faith in the masters of psychology.)

Until we get away from this tendency to reduce to the point of absurdity, we will not become the community we are intended.

[Justin Baeder]

Dan-
I don't think Myers is talking about existing members of your church, but of non-Christians who may potentially become Christians and members if they are met on the right terms. Demanding an uncomfortable level of closeness as a prerequisite for investigating faith and your church community may drive people away.