Why Community?

Hi guys,

This is actually my first time 'blogging' and my very first 'post' on this blog or any blog for that matter... here goes! :)

Anyway, my hope for this blog is to have a conversation with you about spiritual community - what that means and what that looks like in our lives and in our small groups. I think this is a vital issue because as Christ-followers, we are called to live into our identity as the people of God. Something special, something unique and distinct should characterize our relationships and our small groups. When we get together in the name of Jesus, He is there (Mt. 18:23). His very presence is with us!

The implications of this promise for our small groups are huge! The question is, are our small groups communities that gather in the name of Jesus? Are our communities safe places to be real? Can we share our weaknesses? Can we accept people where they're at without feeling the need to judge them or change them? Do we encourage each other to seek God as the authoritative voice for every decision? Do we speak the truth to each other in love, challenging and loving each other to become who God wants us to be? Do we approach differences and conflict like the world does or like Jesus, whose love and forgiveness through the cross reconciled us to our Heavenly Father, and consequently to each other, as brothers and sisters in Christ? Is there something special about our relationships that attracts others?

I've led and been part of many small groups. There've been times when God has seemed so present - when breakthroughs are made in a Bible study, when prayers are answered, when sharing is vulnerable, when members make good (but tough) decisions with the wisdom and support of the group, when people are cared for, when groups have fun...

But there've also been times when God has seemed less present - when group members no-show, when sharing is superficial, when people don't seem to care about their spiritual growth, when small group meetings feel like, well, 'meetings', when conflicts aren't addressed and worked through...

I've come to realize that God is the one who creates community when He shows up, even in the often messy and frustrating context of our lives and our relationships.

"The serious Christian, set down for the first time in a Christian community, is likely to bring with him a very definite idea of what Christian life together should be and to try to realize it. But God's grace speedily shatters such dreams. Just as surely as God desires to lead us to a knowledge of genuine Christian fellowship, so surely must we be overwhelmed by a great disillusionment with others, with Christians in general, and, if we are fortunate, with ourselves. By sheer grace, God will not permit us to live even for a brief period in a dream world. He does not abandon us to those rapturous experiences and lofty moods that come over us like a dream. God is not a God of the emotions but the God of truth... He who loves his dream of community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial. " - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

I'm glad you're connected in this very special gift that God has given us - His spiritual community. If you're a small group leader or member who believes there's something more in this life for you, for your relationships, and for the world I believe you're in for an adventure. I believe God wants to take you on a journey not just to discover but to experience what life with Him and together with His people can really be!

Let's go on this journey together!

Jeremy