A Culture that Understands Community

Throughout history, people have been drawn to community. In my formative years, hippie communes were popular (not that I joined!).

Two things tend to bring communities together is a love for something, and/or a common opposition to something.

Many communities search for freedom and are opposed to any form of external restriction. Strangely, often these communities result in more oppression; and the worst end up as cultish.

Christian community is focussed on the person of Jesus, which results in a love for people as image bearers of God.

Sadly, everything that we value can become an idol. Dietrich Bonhoeffer says:

“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.” [1]

This idolising of community, as a concept, will easily occur unless we realise that community is God’s intention, God’s initiative and it will be sustained by Him. Knowing this as our basis we will work out ways to live together in community, glorifying God and serving one another.

“We do not create community. God has created and redeemed us in community . . . The school is one of the ways in which we are called to express our communal relationship . . . it is important that we develop in the school, a sense of community, a sense of belonging together, needing one another, serving one another.” [2]

[1] Dietrich Bonhoeffer “Life Together”

[2] Stuart Fowler – Schools are for Learning