Cornering community

So... I'm still stuck in chapter 3 of Mark Scandrette's book 'Practicing the Way of Jesus.' I say "stuck" not as a bad thing, but as... there is SO much there!

In this section he's talking about some things we may need to reconsider about church... and one is how we think about community. He says we church-goers need to shift from a posture of passive consumers to committed contributors.

This is something I have known in my head for a long time. I've even preached about it umpteen times. Yet, it's a hard habit to break, Mabel.

We have been trying to "fit into" or "find" a community to be part of for... ever. We've even swallowed hard and tried to jump in as contributors... hoping that would lead us to that elusive sense of belonging. It just doesn't come.

Scandrette says on p. 42:

When a group promises community as its primary goal or product, we can be quickly disappointed - because what is offered can never measure up to the picture of intimacy we can imagine. People often come to our learning labs in search of a community. We patiently explain that, community is not the best goal in itself - it is the byproduct of shared vision, activities, practices and commitments. The quality of relationships we want can't come from a posture and attitude that asks, "How can my needs be met?" Community can't be manufactured, nor is it instantaneous. True community develops over time, through patience, love and mutual commitment.

I know... I'm not telling anyone anything they don't already know. For years and years and years I tried to manufacture community as the goal of our church group. It did not happen (quite the opposite, actually). And, yet, knowing it then, and knowing it still now, doesn't seem to sink in.

You know how the writer of Hebrews said in 10:24, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds"? I'm finally starting to understand the need for "spurring one another on." Living a life of faith is tough stuff. But here's to hoping it's worth it...