From a reader who asks you, Jesus Creed reader, for some advice:
So, I???ve been kicking around the question: What is most necessary and essential to Christian community?
It???s a word tossed around so blithely. I???d stop using it, but I???m too concerned about it.
Some recent thoughts:
-I think back to my time teaching at a Christian High School, and they assumed that shared experience (in the form of mission trips) created true community. It seemed true, for a time. The kids began to idealize their past experience, but were unable to care for each other in the day-in-day out realities of friendship.
-I???ve been reading the Benedictine rule this week and wonder if some level of commitment/covenant is required. But it seems so rigid.
-I asked a Pastor who has helped his people move to a church more concerned about each other and about their own formation, said, ???It???s vulnerability.??? But I wonder if it???s just an essential result.