I ofter hear talk in the Church about the "Acts 2 Church," being the model for how we do Church now. It makes sense - it is the Biblical model set-forth by the Church founders as to how to be in community. How to live with one-another, encourage each other, etc.
Yet, I have to admit, the more I look at the model, and those Christians and the way they lived and loved, the more I am convinced that we are WAY off!! I look at other religions other cultures and they seem to get it . . . yet we think that by getting together once on the weekends for an hour and a half (and that's pushing - REALLY! "Why does our pastor think he has to talk so long?!? Doesn't he know we have THINGS TO DO?!?!" my goodness . . .) and then (and this is if we're REALLY serious!) another 2 hours once a week with our small group, and all of a sudden - TADA! - we're in community!!! Never mind we have to drive 30 minutes one-way, just to meet with these people . . . and we never really see them at any other time.
Is that really what the Acts 2 Church looked like?? I don't think so! They lived together, as in "with-in walking distant" - they met and ate together, they shared money (GASP!! Oh, here we go again - us Christians talking about money!), they shared time, thoughts, love, everything. This idea is so foreign to us, I believe, because we are such an individualistic society . . . and it's sad, really . . . individualistic and self-centered.
And yeah, I know, our culture looks different - we have cars, email, phones, etc . . . but have those things really aided our connectivity, or hindered it? It just gives us more excuses to not connect with our neighbors. Just because out culture looks different, I'm not so sure that gives us an excuse to re-define community.
I am getting ready to go to Nepal the end of March, and I am so excited to see how they live in comparison to us! One of the 10 poorest countries in the world, yet they are happy and generous and contented . . . WOW!! But, from what I have been learning, they understand community! The women do their laundry together, they cook together, and raise their kids together. It is rare that they would eat a meal with just their family, alone. People leave their doors open and share their time willingly. I can't wait to experience it! Yet, I have to admit, I almost dread it, because I'll have to come back home to the way we do things here . . . . I'm pretty sure this discontent will just get worse upon my return!
I'm not suggesting that I know the answer, how to change all this. I'm just suggesting that we begin to take a look at the "Biblical living" we think we're doing, and really hold it up to the standard of the Bible . . . I mean, let me ask you, isn't there a part of you that really longs to have this kind of friendship and community? Someone to whom you can run over and talk with, if you have an extra hour, instead of having to schedule the time a week out? I think everyone has this desire, and that is what drives us to the Internet, to email, to Facebook and Myspace - connectivity. Yet these things can only go so far . . .
9 comments:
I have often felt the same way. I think we miss out by being a more individualistic society, by being so independent. It wasn't even a hundred years ago that communities were much more close knit. Now it seems rare that people actually know all of their neighbors. I must admit that one of the things I like about living in Utah is that I am surrounded by the people I go to church with. But there are good and bad things about that. Sometimes that hinders you from reaching out to others that don't attend your same church. I spoke in church yesterday about fellowshipping and the importance of knowing your neighbors. I think it's up to us to know our neighbors and create that sense of community.
I've always loved this idea! God designed us for fellowship! He made Eve because He knew Adam needed a companion! And the Church has NEVER been a building--in Biblical days, when the Temple was destroyed, they met out in the open. And there was no "Sunday school"--the mothers and children gathered together and worshiped apart from the men! (Although, I think we'd all benefit from worshiping ALL together.) Let the kids be apart of this!
Amen, sister. Amen!
Stacey, you're absolutely right!! It is up to each of us to get to know our neighbors and create that community. I think part of me is scared, but more than anything I think I'm just lazy and unwilling to be inconvenienced, you know?? I think that's why part of me wishes I went to church with my neighbors (like you). Because even though I don't go to church with my neighbors, I still find it hard to reach out to others who aren't already a part of my church . . .
Saramarie, thanks for the encouragement!! You should move into my neighborhood and we can start a home-church together!! HAHA!! :) No, I love my church, I just wish I could spend more time with them, you know??
Yes, and in a Church community as large as Central, its very easy to feel disconnected. Even with small groups. We struggled with that after leaving our two previous church families (Vintage Faith in Santa Cruz, roughly 200 people and Everyday Church in SLO, less than 100 people). And it was much easier to be a "community Church" because those towns are SO much smaller than Mesa. Mesa stretches for 15 exits off the 60! Its difficult to build community with so many people, all with different belief backgrounds.
BINGO to everything you said, Andrea!! You are quite the astute observer person (which is why I so enjoy your blogs!) and more often then not many if not ALL of your thoughts are ones that have mulled around in my brain. You just happen to be more proactive (and braver! lol) to getting them down in print than I am!! So KUDOs for taking the time to do so, unlike moi'!
What you said in particular totally resonated with me and I completely agree..."Someone to whom you can run over and talk with, if you have an extra hour, instead of having to schedule the time a week out?(YES!!!) I think everyone has this desire, and that is what drives us to the Internet, to email, to Facebook and Myspace - connectivity. Yet these things can only go so far . . .(YES!! I've been seeing this sooo much, but at the same time, I wonder if people techno connect because it's safe(er) and less commital? I dunno, but for myself, sometimes it's just easier and safer to techno connect and I can be selective in terms of how I share myself. But on the flipside, IT ISN"T always enough and I need to continue to keep myself out there, connecting "live" and letting others see who I am regardless of all the insecurities and fears I harbor. Those are the times I just can't let myself process and analyze it to death - UGH! I hate when I do that!! My mantra is "just do it", dive in come what may, and God will take care of the rest. And He always does and it always turns out not as bad as I feared.
You also said...
"I would love to just live in the same neighborhood as a bunch of my friends and fellow Christ-followers, to meet weekly to just worship God in song, to share our thoughts on the Word we have been reading. To just be in community. To share meals. I want it to go beyond the church walls, beyond Bible study and small group. I don't know . . . I'm not even sure I can quite describe or explain what I long for . . . I suppose this means I will have to trust God to lead me and show me what to do with all this. :)" A resounding YES!!! to this as well!! Although, I will say sometimes close community like this scares me. I think a lot of that has to do with being raised to be very independent, never be an imposition or force yourself on to others, and the old adage "children should be seen and not heard", etc. I see how that's affected my interactions with people today. I really struggle in knowing how to share about myself and just letting myself be known without the nicey, nice facade. So many times I feel like I always need to be "invited" in or "invited and asked to share" instead of just plunging in. Don't get me wrong, I love to hear, learn, and invest a great deal in others, but I guess I'm still trying to navigate the other side of that. Does that make any sense whatsoever?....sorry if it doesn't.
Anyway...that's for letting me share, Andrea! As you can tell, I'm waay behind on reading your blogs. I've some catching up to do!! lol HUGE blessing to you and your day!!!
PS: Man, I can't type today worth poo! I mean't "Thanks" for letting me share as well as "blessings" to you...etc.
Romi - I totally understand what you're saying . . . I mean, look at me!! It's SO EASY to get onto our computers and be who we want to be . . . but there is still that longing in me for a deeper connection, for something lasting and real and continual. :) You and I need to move into the same neighborhood - yes?? :)
Yes, indeedy we should, Andrea!!lol Now just convince my hubby and all will be swell! ; ) lol
Btw - are you coming to the woman's retreat?? I'll be there...my husband, the good guy that he is, decided to sign me up whether I wanted to go or not. He said - "you're going!"
I still need to read your Nepal blog...sheesh! How sad and crunched for time I am! boohoo, but I will soon, promise!
HAHA!! I feel ya . . .
Your hubby sounds like a great guy!! I wish I could say I was going, but I'm not. Having just been gone for 2 weeks in Nepal, I thought that was a little soon to be skippin' out on my wee-little ones again. :) Plus, it is my hubby's birthday on the 3rd, so I thought I should stay home. I'm bummed though. I worked the last two years, so I really didn't get as much time to just sit and enjoy . . . I would LOVE to just get away and relax and Lost Canyon is a beautiful place to do that. So, enjoy yourself and think of me while you're up there!!! :) You'll have a great time!
XOXO
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