What is "Christian Community"?

How would you describe “a Christian Community”? I ask because I’ve been reminded again how fragile relationships are. I often assume that because we’ve worked side by side for years, discussed weighty topics, and share joys and sorrows that we have strong relationships. But then, something happens, and I discover that the relationships aren’t strong at all, but so easily fractured by hasty words, misunderstandings, or pettiness.

It reminds me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, Life Together (which we will study in Adult Forum in the Easter season). Bonhoeffer exposes how we each have dreams of what we think Christian community should be about. One person dreams that Church will be a group of people to meet friends who enjoy the same pastimes or politics. Another dreams that Church will be a place without disagreement or misunderstanding. Another dreams that church will be a place where everyone will act in mature and unselfish ways.

Bonhoeffer says (to paraphrase) that each creates an idol rather than a church with Christ at the center. Christ calls sinners to the Church, sinners who will sometimes act in petty ways. Christ calls different people to the Church, who will not all share the same interests or worldviews. Christ calls human beings to the Church who will disagree and miscommunicate. Christ calls impatient, imperfect people so that He may love them, forgive them, and teach them to love one another and be united in Him and not anything else.

As our society (and world) are changing so rapidly and there is such disorientation and disruption, this world needs more than ever the Church which will prevail even against the gates of Hell because it is built on the solid rock of Christ.

When you come to Church, expect to be frustrated with yourself and others; Christ is loving you so that you learn to love your neighbor as yourself. Expect to meet someone different than yourself; Christ is gathering you into the great multitude out of every tribe, language, nation and people (Rev 7:9). Expect to be offended sometimes by the radical love of Christ that forgives the sinner, welcomes the stranger, and humbles the proud.

In awe of the glorified Christ,

Pastor Peter