:: AIP#58 - Total Church #2: "Why Community"? (09.27.2009) ::

Last Sunday, our second week of discussion in The City Church's weekly core gatherings took us to the topic of community: "if the church is a community on mission, what does true community look like?"

Summary:
"Christ wants to create 'a people,' not merely isolated individuals who believe in him" (p.39). The Christian community is not an option; a "second step" in faith. It's central to the Christian identity. For individualistic, self-sustaining westerners, this is a hard concept: we like to do things on our own! This means we try to juggle all the responsibilities of life on our own: "family, friendships, career, leisure, chores, decisions and money. We could also add...political activities, campaigning organizations, community groups, and school associations. From time to time the pressures overwhelm us, and we drop one or more of the balls. All too often church becomes one of the balls" (p.44).

But what if the church community is at the center of our lives, and all the other responsibilities extend from it? Then we "meet each others' needs" by helping each other juggle our responsibilities when needed. Just as we belong to God, we reflect his "Trinity-ness" as we belong with others. This belonging is the key for the "koinonia" - "fellowship" - "community" described in the scriptures: it's linked to the words "common," "sharing," and "participation" (p.43). So what would it look like if we made decisions in regard to the community? That's a "church community" - that's the covenant fellowship God's been building since the time of Abraham. And that community carries out God's mission and work in the world, together.


Further Discussion:

• How do these verses impact your understanding of community? 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; Acts 4:32; Philippians 1:5; 1 Peter 4:13
• The authors state, "Christ died for his people, and we are saved when by faith we become part of the people for whom Christ died" (p.39). Agree? Can a Christian "be saved" and thrive spiritually apart from community?
• In your experience, did a confession of faith in Jesus Christ mean distancing yourself from existing groups of friends/family? Was there hurt/confusion involved in this?
• What do you fear most about being involved in deep community? Do you fear being known? Do you fear being rejected?
• We said the greatest hindrances to true community were comfort and convenience. Do you agree/disagree? How do you see these issues in your life?

Join the Discussion!
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