You Cannot Create Community

You cannot create community. Now for those who know me this may sound like a strange statement. Being apart of a living community of faith is so much a part of the story God has been telling with my life. And yet I see all attempts to create it as futile and largely unsuccessful.

I have come to believe that community is a by-product of sharing, journeying with others. As we share and invest in each other community is the result. Shared beliefs, values, purposes, cultures, combine to create community. Individualism, selfishness, independence, and more prevent the formation of community.

Now at this point you might say well I will create community by sharing life with others. Actually if you set out as your goal to create community you have created an agenda and all relationships become utilitarian in the pursuit of that goal. Any person, event, practice, etc…that keeps you from your goal of community will be discarded.

So what can we do? I can purpose to follow Jesus wherever that takes me. I can love those around with Him with the only goal being to follow and love. As Wayne Jacobson puts it “live loved and love”. As corny as that may sound it is the best course. And for those you have walked this way you know it is not easy.

Living this way the Spirit creates community, a community of Christ where His love dwells not in temples made by man but by God. Living stones living out the life of Christ for all to see and taste.