community

Life is meant to be done together.

That’s our little phrase. It’s our attempt to succinctly describe what we mean by “community.” When most people hear that word they think of their neighborhood and/or subdivision. They get a mental image of older, traditional houses—a part of the American dream. They visualize neighbors helping each other plant gardens, put up fences and raise children. In reality, this is not too far from the truth. It seems with each generation, though, our society gets farther and farther away from the healthy environment God desires for His beloved people. Amazingly enough, God has chosen to reveal Himself to humanity in relationship with each other. Every person on this planet is created in the image of God. But what does that mean? What exactly is the image of God? Well, I certainly can’t explain that fully. Anyone who claims to be able to is either a liar or a psycho. Throughout history, however, followers of Jesus have held to the orthodox belief that God is Trinity. He is three distinct persons existing in one substance. I can’t explain it, but I do believe it. Clark Pinnock once said that just as God can only be known through His Trinitarian communion with Himself, so humanity can only be known through our Godly communion with each other. It is only when we, as distinct individuals, come together in community that the image of God is fully made known.

Authentic, biblical community is really hard to define. It is created through a great deal of intentional effort on the part of everyone involved. It takes a lot of time and trust to both initiate and continue. It reeks of unconditional love and acceptance, but, at the same time, challenges one another toward greater and deeper Christianity. It is exemplified by Jesus and his relationship with the Twelve Disciples (i.e. Mark 3:14-15). It is demonstrated by the earliest Christians’ commitment to small house churches (i.e. Acts 2:41-47). Princeton sociologist Robert Wuthnow observes that although there are some obvious differences, true community is like being part of a loving family. To theologian and Christian martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Christian community is defined by three things. “It means, first, that a Christian needs others because of Jesus Christ. It means, second, that a Christian comes to others only through Jesus Christ. It means, third, that in Jesus Christ we have been chosen from eternity, accepted in time, and united for eternity.”

The essence of Christian community is found in Jesus’ prayer recorded for us in John 17. In this powerful chapter we see our example of unity found in the holy Trinity itself! Jesus (God the Son), His Father (God the Father) and the Spirit (God the Holy Spirit) are three in one. And Jesus actually prays that all believers (that includes you and me!) experience the same kind of oneness! Just as God lives in community with Himself, without any comprehensible division, so are we to live. WOW! Obviously, this is unconventional in our highly individualistic American society. And it’s downright freaky in the pioneering spirit of the Pacific Northwest!

From the time we were children we were taught to take pride in our American independence. Our heroes were the brave individuals who conquered the Wild West and sought their fortunes alone. Slowly, though, our postmodern thought has dragged us back to painful reality. Our world is slowly eroding due to sin. The perceived safety of science, technology and the American dream is crumbling around us. And, sadly, the Church is not offering answers. Even the core and foundation of culture, the family unit, is a rare commodity. The trend in many religious circles toward small groups is not something new. It is something very old that is merely being rediscovered. The ancient use of small community groups is beginning to alter the very fabric of the American social order.

Community is a difficult and messy undertaking, but one that must be attempted if we ever hope to be healthy and whole. Sharing one’s life and risking intimacy are frightening for most individuals who have been encouraged to exert their uniqueness and “look our for number one.” Quite often it’s a devastating crisis that finally drives people to seek community (i.e. alcoholism, death of a loved one, etc.). Oh, that we didn’t always have to learn the hard way! Much like our salvation experience, we are participants in the journey toward community. It is a free and miraculous gift, but we must accept and daily walk in it. People want to know God, but cannot do it alone. In community they find the opportunity to share their victories and sufferings; questions and answers; delight and anger.

This writing is really not my attempt to prove the necessity of community. Instead, I hope to merely point out the longing in each human soul. I want us all to recognize our deep craving for community and, then, tap into it. Small community groups are the heart and soul of Holy Seed Community Church. They are not merely a program or department in a list of ministries. We are not going to be a church with small groups. No! Instead, we are a church of small groups. Indeed, small groups are the skeleton that supports the Body of Christ. It’s not just about me and it’s not just about you. It’s about us. Life is meant to be done together.