Rethinking Community

Community is a common buzz word in churches – so much so that I think we often gloss over it. In fact, I believe that most church leaders believe their church has done and is doing a great job in creating community for their members. So much so that they don’t give much thought to the idea anymore.

But the reality is – I think we’re wrong! I think that most churches have great intentions in creating community. I think we’ve spent considerable time creating plans for community. I even think we believe that our plans are working. But the truth is……..true community isn’t happening as often as we think.

In the two years I lived in Arizona, the best community I found was in my gym. I was a pastor and member of a very large local church, but I struggled to find a group of people that I connected with. But every morning I met with a group of people in my workout class who had become friends. We texted each other, we looked out for each other, we challenged each other, we prayed for each other. We became a community in a way I had never experienced through church.

I often wondered at how this small fitness franchise had been able to capture the idea of community in ways that my church had not. When I approached other church leaders with this, I was often brushed aside. You see, what happens is church leaders create a program or plan of action for capturing people and putting them inside of groups that are designed to become communities. And we become blind to the idea that these groups are not functioning in the way we’ve designed them to function. So we believe that community is happening, because we said it would happen. And we don’t want to admit that something isn’t working correctly.

Over the next few weeks and months, I’m rethinking community. I’m willing to admit that things aren’t quite what they should be. I’m going to do the hard work of asking questions, coming to terms with reality, and recreating a future plan. You’re invited to come along with me as I rethink community.

When have you experience true community? What do you believe was the defining characteristic of your community group?