Jun 10 2006
Being with One Another
Another from the archives. I posted a modified version of this back in April, 2005.
From time to time it is my hope to write a bit on a topic related to Christian Community. There are many facets to it and I want to talk briefly about all of them.
One thing that is essential and that distinguishes and authentic community from a bunch of people who just happen to know each other is that people in a community spend time with one another. It seems terribly obvious to me–but it doesn’t seem like it is that obvious to everyone.
I have moved around a bit in my adult life and have finally settled in one place; hopefully for the rest of my life. In most of the churches in which I have been involved the church members are spread out and spend very little time with one another in between Sundays unless it is another programmed meeting of the Church.
As wonderful as the Lord’s Day is (and I’m sure I will write more about this at another time) it is not the productive time we need as a Church to build community. The Lord’s Day has been given to us for worship. The time we spend worshiping is not a time that we are building relationships with each other, but with God.
So when should these relationships be built? In time we spend together outside of the context of the worship service!
Think about it: Christians spending time with one another during the week for something other than a “small group.”? (I’m not dissing small groups here but saying that there must be something more than that. Frazee makes the same argument in his book that I posted a review of here on yesterday and Pantego Bible Church is centered around the small group.)
I’m going to write more on this as time goes on, and I have some specific ideas about ways we can “be with each other.”? I’m hoping that some of you do, too. Please leave a comment with your ideas about how and when and where Christians ought to be “with each other” in a way that fosters real, Biblical community.
What do you think of intentional christian community groups like Reba (rpf.mennonite.net). I have often thought that this was the way of christ, they had a shared purse. I would love to hear your views on the subject.
For more information on intentional christian community check shalomconnections.org . They have a news letter that covers many communitys.
Perhaps it would be better to say that the Lord’s Day and the worship therein are not solely the means toward fellowship. That to have Sunday only can make a more stale relationship if not mere formalism. On the other hand, fellowship w/out Sunday worship has missing elements as well.
I’m looking forward to chatting more on this. THe good thing about your blog is that you are trying to dialogue with others, not presuming to have all the answers.