Page 31 - Full Sample of ec magazine

God’s Design we are interdependent; we need each other and no one is inferior. The community of
God’s family is not a private club, and it is not Living in community
for us: (1 Cor. 12:12-26). We are to be concerned for
community each other. When one of us suffers, that suf- designed to be divided into cliques. means you recognize that
Nineteenth-century fering should bring pain to the rest. When In an article for Brio magazine, Christian
poet John Donne one of us receives some honor, everyone in the singer/songwriter Brandon Heath talked, you belong to a body that
famously wrote, “No body should be glad about it. among other things, about his own experience
of living in community with other Christians. includes all believers.
man is an island.” Within the body, we all have different spiri-
He went on to tual gifts, like teaching, preaching, or serving, When seven guys moved next door to him,
describe people as to name a few. These are given by God so His Brandon and his new neighbors started a
parts of a continent, people can work together to build up the body community of sorts on their block by hold- so should your concern. It means you
all interconnected. of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13). As members of Christ’s ing a Wednesday night group. They started understand your connection to believers
Just as Europe body, we are instructed to love one another working together to serve their neighborhood. of all ages in your own church and live in
becomes smaller deeply and to serve one another (1 Pet. 1:22; What began as a small group attracted others relationship to them, treating all with respect
when a mere clod of 4:8-10), to carry each others’ burdens and to and grew to the point that it became difficult and compassion. That might mean you take
its land washes out help those caught in sin (Gal. 6:1-2). God’s to find a parking spot on Brandon’s street. time to stop and speak to an elderly gentle-
to sea, so each of us design for the community of believers is that Asked to describe what true community man sitting alone at church or volunteer to
is diminished, he we be a support network, an accountability is, Brandon replied: “True community is help care for the kids in the nursery. Living
said, by the death of system, a team, and a family. His intention is being broken in front of each other and real- in community means you keep your circle of
any individual. We that we do life together, not alone. izing how equally we need Jesus. Hearing friends open, rejecting cliques and inviting in
are part of the whole what Jesus is doing in each other’s lives is newcomers.
and belong to each What Community looks like: so encouraging. Real community is serving It’s been said that this life is just a dress re-
other. sharing together, being humble together, serving each hearsal for the main event, which is spending
2
This analogy During the 1960s, a phenomenon of other, and being available. I think it’s provid- eternity with God in heaven. Our time here on
4
accurately portrays American culture was the commune. In com- ing for the needs of others, period.” earth is miniscule compared to the never-end-
God’s intent for munes, people (your grandparents call them ing existence we will enjoy after this life.
His people. From hippies) lived together in groups, sharing all Where Community Begins: But consider this: heaven will not be a
the moment God their resources. Their way of life was aimed you lonely, isolated place. The Bible describes it
created the first at rejecting materialism and getting back to If you are a believer, you’re part of God’s as a home where throngs of believers from
man, He declared, nature. 3 family and a member of the Christian com- the whole world throughout human history • find a community
group at church.
“It is not good But communes neither originated nor munity. There’s more to doing life together will live together united by our love for and it may be your
for the man to be ended with hippies. They have been present than just putting your name on the roll at your worship of God. It only makes sense then, if sunday school
alone” (Gen. 2:18). throughout history in different cultures, and local church. Meeting regularly with other we are going to spend all of eternity together class or a small
Even God there was an element of communal life in the believers for worship and fellowship is part with other Christians, that we learn to live in group sponsored
Himself is one in early church. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early of living in community. Hebrews 10:25 urges community with them here on earth. Once we by the church. it
may be people who
three. The three Persons of the Trinity— church life as one in which members held Christians not to give up meeting together learn to give and receive encouragement, work speak god’s truth
God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy their possessions in common, sharing with but rather to encourage one another more and together for a common purpose, and share into your life. share
Spirit—exist in relationship with one another. one another and selling what they owned to more as the day of Jesus’ return approaches. our joys and sorrows by living in community, life together and
buildinG Made in His image, we too are meant to live help those among them in need. They met Living in community also means working we may feel that we’ve found a little bit of make an effort.
communiTy in relationship with others. Before His death, together daily for meals, fellowship, teaching, to build relationships with other Christians heaven . . . right here on earth. ec
in your liFe: Jesus prayed for His followers that they might and prayer. outside of regular meeting times. Connect- • community
isn’t just a church
• get involved in be one as He and the Father are one (John Living in community with other believers ing with others this way doesn’t just happen thing. god has left
a church. we’re today doesn’t necessarily mean sharing all by itself. You can’t always wait for others to Sources: us in the world
not talking about 17:11). 1. “Saint Simeon Stylites,” Encyclopedia Britannica for a reason, and
getting your name The Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes property. But it certainly does demand a approach you to initiate relationships. The [online], cited 6 February 2009. Available from the often, the best
on the membership echoes the idea that people need each other. willingness to share with those among us in person who lives out his or her faith in com- Internet: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/ way for people to
topic/545077/Saint-Simeon-Stylites.
list. we’re talking Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 says: “Two are better than need. It also involves hospitality—opening munity is one who reaches out to others. That 2. John Donne, “XVII. Meditation,” The Literature come to faith in
about serving, not just our homes but our hearts and lives to could mean asking someone new at church Network [online], cited 6 February 2009. Available christ is through
getting to know one because they have a good reward for their from the Internet: http://www.online-literature.com/ relationships with
people, and efforts. For if either falls, his companion can one another. That means being transparent, to hang out with you or it could mean sharing donne/409/. those of us who
getting involved lift him up; but pity the one who falls without or real, with others, sharing and caring about what’s hurting you with your Sunday School 3. Judy Keen, “Thriving communes no haven for profess him as
in ministry. you another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down what’s going on in our lives. class instead of trying to carry that burden ‘deadbeats,’” USA Today [online], 29 August 2007 lord and savior
cannot read the Living in community also means being alone. [cited 6 February 2009]. Available from the Internet: and actually live
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-08-28-
new testament and together, they can keep warm; but how can communes_N.htm. out our faith. your
come away with one person alone keep warm?” inclusive. Galatians 3:27-28 says, “For as many Living in community means you recognize 4. Gina Rossing, “From Songwriter to Singer,” Brio whole life, not just
the idea that being This concept of living in community with of you as have been baptized into Christ have that you belong to a body that includes Magazine [online], 2006 [cited 6 February 2009]. one little part of
an active part of a others, particularly with other believers, is put on Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave all believers—those of different cultures, Available from the Internet: http://www.briomag. it, should be about
church body is not or free, male or female; for you are all one in races, denominations, and so forth. Your com/briomagazine/entertainment/a0007123.html. serving god and
important. it is! fleshed out in New Testament teachings about bringing glory to
(continued on page 29.) how Christians make up the body of Christ. Christ Jesus.” God welcomes all who receive community reaches across the globe to him.
Like the various parts of our physical bodies, Christ into His family. No one is excluded, believers in Africa and India and China;
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