Jun

27

Restoring Community

June 27, 2007 |

Tina at SpaghettiPie reflects on the meaning and purpose of community in three posts. In the first she talks about what authentic community means and ponders how to achieve it. She says (as I have often said),

We were created to be relational, and we were created to be in community. I long for true community in my church. I desire to live out community in our world.

In Part II she asks the question “How?” and wonders if what we call community—small groups, Bible studies, etc.—really constitute community.

In Part III she suggests that sharing our stories, our history, is one element of community. As we share our stories with one another, we find points of common interest and history. Common roots. Common friends. Common beliefs and values. When we share our history, we become vulnerable, and it’s only in being vulnerable that we can form community.

Sharing our histories is something that our Care Group did early on and repeats in different forms from time to time. In the early days of our group, we each took an evening to tell our stories. Yes, it took awhile, but it gave us a context for relating to one another, for understanding our strengths and weaknesses, gifts, accomplishments, and vulnerabilities. It gave us a firm foundation from which to grow, change, and mature.

I have a feeling Tina isn’t finished with her ponderings, so visit her site often for more thoughts on community.

For more of my thoughts on community, especially if you are new to this blog, see my March newsletter.


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Tina on June 28, 2007 8:43 pm

    Pat, thanks for coming to visit. I appreciate your thoughts on community, and you’re right - I’m definitely not done! I’ll look forward to any comments you have when I talk about when community building is difficult. I’m sure you have great insight on that!

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind