Clay in the Hands

One of the catchiest catch-words in church circles today is “community.”  But what does it mean – what does it look like?

Last night in our study, In The Dust of the Rabbi, we talked about what it was like in the first century in a Greco-Roman world to be a Christ follower.  It would have meant that you would have been excluded from society – the economic world would be closed to you, the political world would be closed as well – because you no longer would be willing to sacrifice to the gods so you would be shunned and even hated.

The early Christians had no choice but to band together to survive.  They needed one another to live.  Community was a way of life – and disciples were born in, raised by and developed in that community.  But today, in our culture, the idea of community is really a little foreign.  We enjoy being with others but we also want our space.  We live in an individualistic society that praises independence.  So living in true community seems odd to us.

Regardless of how independent we may think we are, God actually created us to need others.  So what does community look like in 2010 in America?

The first thought is that the church should be that community – and that is true.  But is it?  Do people really live in community in your gathering of believers?  Is your gathering characterized by transparency, honesty and solid relationships or is it more of a social gathering for an hour or two on Sunday mornings where masks are worn and fronts are maintained?

This morning I am sitting in one of my favorite places to think and enjoy a good cup of coffee and one amazing blueberry scone – Sugar Brown’s.  As I sit and write this post this morning, I am scanning the room and here is what I see:  I see two young females at the back table who appear to be catching up after not seeing each other for a while; I see a young business professional in his suit and kindle, listening with great compassion and attentiveness to a young man who has a speech disability.  On the other side of the room is a table with three middle-aged men laughing and having a great conversation.  Right behind me are two older gentlemen discussing politics.

Now let me clarify that I do not make a habit of eaves dropping on peoples’ conversations, but I have to confess that I am a student of people.  But the point today is that what I am observing this morning at Sugar Brown’s is a clear depiction of community – the way God created it – and it is not even happening in a church (although I could argue that the scone was a spiritual experience).

Where does community happen for you?