I really love that whole thing about not seeking these things for their own sake. I think someone mentioned something like that in a post elsewhere. Community is an after-effect, rather than an obtainable goal.

And if you think about it, that line of thinking falls right in line with the rest of our Christian thought (which is why I'm so humbled by the fact that I didn't consider it). Matthew 16:25 talks about it. We can struggle until we have nothing left and never get there. But if we just give in and acknowledge God's way...there it will be.

Very powerful stuff.

As far as next week's question is concerned, it's an especially tough one and I'm not sure that there's any one good answer. I would say that one way would be (to quote a former pastor, who likely quoted someone else) to just keep the main thing the main thing, but I think some churches focus so much on the broader mission that they never really examine the smaller steps in how to get there, which I would say is essential in gaining these bonuses like fellowship and community. For example, not being able to see the correlation with how something like a coffee bar at church or hosting a speaker about strengthening marriages helps to "go and make disciples."

Hmm...I'm going to have to think about this one some more.

of a time in my life not too long ago, that I thought I would try to NOT talk to ANYONE I knew at church on Sunday, only to people that I didn't know. I'm not convinced its a totally bad idea but then following that theory, once I have talked to someone once, I then KNOW them, so then do I not ever talk to them again? No, of course not, but then how do I keep myself from only talking to my friends if I, for a time, keep making friends? Does that make sense? Anyway, it occured to me that recently with the HUB and the idea of "community for the sake of mission" has been on my mind, I have really enjoyed SERVING WITH my cronies at St Matthew - and always keeping the MISSION on my mind as a serve with people that I know care about me and have confidence in me, that makes it so much fun! And, so real. So, I think Jesus likes that. Its like thats how it should be, how God wants it to be - and go figure, it works - its deep and meaningful, its good. And, when I say "serving" I don't necessarily mean serving coffee or volunteering in some capacity together- although that certainly adds a deeper element to relationships, but what I mean here is having relationships with people who are Christians, knowing that we both care about others coming into a relationship with Christ and with his Church - that I think in itself is an act of service, just seeing life that way.

I think, in the spirit of the question, how we (and I mean not only St. Matthew's but the entire family of God) can do life together is to realize life as we know it is going to end. What, in the grand scheme of the Creator, is going to last?

Love, faith, joy, peace, and service to another are my selections for the lasting things and that, I think, is how we as a community should seek to keep focus on the important thing while dealing with the now things.....

If we focus less on the pain that we know will come and more on the hope that is given us that the pain will end with Christ's return and our 'repair' to the original design, it makes it alot easier to deal with the 'setbacks' most relationships deal with. Using biblical models, we should seek to restore broken connections, restrict sinful reactions, and rebuke those who commit sinful actions against the biblical design of relationship, always in love...with the desire of restoration not separation.

Unfortunately the world thinks otherwise....if you hurt me, then I will hurt you and then severe the relationship. Is it any wonder why, as the world becomes more and more isolated and the religions that are gaining stature speak more and more of self, that we experience more and more suffering and abuse at the hand of the seculars?

But if we defend the core, the heart that is reshaped and renewed by the Spirit, we gain the ability to walk in the pain of humanistic relationships and reach beyond our human responses to the painful reality of a broken world and show that other broken and bruised person what true relationship is......

I know you will hurt me, intentionally or unintentionally, but I will love you anyway.

Just my thoughts,

Chaplain J

I am slowly getting through a book called "Missional Church." It may be a bit academic for some, but I would highly recommend it. Within that book is a quote that answers this week's question very well. Rather than paraphrase, I will just put the quote out there:

"The experience of Christian togetherness is not simply for the benefit of those who choose to participate in Christian community. A community of love rooted in the redemptive reign of God can never be an in-house enterprise, for such love is contagious and overflowing. It seeks to embrace all of humanity. The church too often accepts the modern dichotomy between private and public life. ...The church is not only to be a distinct and peculiar community but one that nurtures social relationships that embody the reconciliation and healing of the world in Jesus Christ."

My point in posting that quote is to say that we can certainly have Christian togetherness and love in our community and that is certainly pleasing to God. That love and togetherness, though, must be shared with others for the purpose of healing and restoring those outside the community. The love of Christ will begin to draw those on the outside in. The key is that we will never find anyone to draw in unless we become missional.