God
never intended for any of us to live the Christian life alone.
FUNCTION
OVER FORM - Some Christians feel that they must follow the call to community in
rigorous, perhaps even radical, ways. We can thank God for the example of our
brothers and sisters in communities such as Koinonia in Americus, Georgia, and
Sojourners and the Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C. They help teach us principles
that God wants for the whole Christian fellowship.
At
the same time, we need to know that the Bible doesn't require—or even give
special blessing to—certain forms of community. Structure is not the point;
relationships are. We can live together as God wants us to in a great variety
of ways—ways that strengthen rather than disrupt our vocations, our families,
and the other commitments we have already made under God’s guidance. The good
news is that community is a gift God offers to pour love out on us all.
GETTING
SMALL - Even though forms may not matter much, size does. For community to be
specific and personal enough to reach its potential, we need groups small
enough for everyone to be directly involved. The practice of the earliest
Christians suggests a small scale. They often met in each other’s homes for
meals and teaching, for worship and prayer (Acts 2:44-46,
Acts 12:12-17). And it is clear that when Paul
advised the Corinthians that "everyone" should be ready with a psalm,
some instruction, or a revelation, he expected the meeting to be small enough
for everyone to participate (1 Cor. 14:26).
Certainly
that doesn't mean that we have to abandon our large congregations end public
buildings. It suggests, instead, that we are more likely to find community’s
richest benefits in smaller groups—Sunday school classes, Bible study groups,
mission groups, worship and prayer groups, and others.
The
lived reality of community—in whatever form it takes—holds great promise both
for the Christian fellowship itself and for the world at large. For Christians
it provides a place where together we can change and grow strong in following
Jesus. For the world the life of the Christian community broadcasts the good
news and mediates God’s love to those who so desperately seek it.
Howard Macy is a Professor
Emeritus at George Fox University. He is the author of Rhythms of the Inner
Life.