Living the Community

During my childhood Sunday night was fellowship time for my parents and their friends. They would all meet at someone's home after church for snacks and discussion. It was always a special time for me, because there was plenty of food to eat, and I was always hungry. But beyond the food, there a comfort that came from knowing that there were friends around who cared.

Christianity is all about community. In small churches the whole church is community because everyone knows everyone else. In larger churches Sunday School or small groups are the center of community. Regardless of where a person attends church, the key to success is always in the aspect of community.

Eugene Peterson writes in A Long Obedience, "Scripture knows nothing of the solitary Christian. . . God never works with individuals in isolation, but always with people in community." The machinery of church is not sufficient to keep the body functioning, the church requires community. The fellowship and love of church members is the heart that keeps the body healthy.

Psalm 133:1 says in The Message, "How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along." People are not drawn to Christ through organization, plans, or purpose statements - they come to Christ because they see something alive in the church. Community can not be planned, it can not be manufactured, it can only exist through sincere Christian faith, love, and service.