Of Church and Community

There's a move among many these days to get out of traditional church and into community as church. In a way it's a very good thing - a refocusing of what is Real and what is just Routine, a discovery of life in Christ with each other, and so many other things.

But it's a dangerous thing to step out of church without having a community to step into. I don't think we were created to be go-it-alone Christians, to try on our own to live and learn and be. We need others around us, encouraging, teaching, forming, grating on us now and then, making us stronger in our walk with God.

Community is ideal. But if, like me, you have no social life, if your friends either live far away (or moved away recently) or have disappeared quietly when you made a step into unknown territory, then I'd say stick with the church until you find a community.

I've noticed in recent weeks, when I bunk church I feel isolated. There's no-one to bounce ideas and thoughts off, no-one to point me outside my inner spiraling toward where I need to go. Last night I went back to church - and was missed and loved and listened to.

Sure, there are things going on there that I'm not too happy about. Some are amusing in a sad way: last night the worship leader prayed mid-way through worship and everyone sat down right after, so used to prayer ending the worship that they didn't think it may not be the end. We're stuck in routines, we have traditions and church-talk and all those things. But it's still a group of believers, a good group too. Their experience of God is real and relevant and attractive. They glow with His presence. They're good to be around.

In spite of my little frustrations, this church IS my community, and is where I need to be here and now.