Community and Christ

I was doing some reading today, and came across this paragraph from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "Life Together." It may not resonate with some of you, but check it out... and I'd love to hear some comments.

Because Christ stands between me and others, I dare not desire direct fellowship with them. As only Christ can speak to me in such a way that I may be saved, so others, too, can be saved only by Christ himself. This means that I must release the other person from every attempt of mine to regulate, coerce, and dominate him with my love. The other person needs to retain his independence of me; to be love for what he is, as one for whom Christ became man, died, and rose again, for whom Christ bought forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Because Christ has long since acted decisively for my brother, before I could begin to act, I must leave him his freedom to be Christ's; I must meet him only as the person that he already is in Christ's eyes. This is the meaning of the proposition that we can meet others only through the mediation of Christ.

Gonna have to continue to think through this a little more. I think I get it...

Life and stuff, and a little rugby

I haven't been doing too well at blogging as of late.  It's not that I don't have anything to say... those in my household will tell you I always have something to say.  It's just been a time thing.  So, I'm writing this at 10:30 at night, when I should probably be thinking about sleeping, but I'm determined to get a few things said.  Pardon me while I ramble a bit.

First of all, I love my life group.  I don't like always going to LG, but when I'm there I love it... and love them.  This past Sunday night was huge... we got down and dirty with some relationship issues.  Everybody had input, no body dominated the conversation (unless I did), I thought that everybody left thankful that they came.  

Why bring this up?  After, if I don't like LG, and I'm supposed to be the ring-leader of the thing, then we have real problems.

I mention it, because, there are so many people around me who simply don't have a group of people to "lean in to."  No body to get "down and dirty" with life issues, especially when life passes through the filter of scripture. 

Here's the good news:  I got an email from "Linda" today that she had sent to tons of people that she knows.  It was all about how important her LG was to her and her husband, and why others should be involved in a group.  Thats good stuff... her words carry a lot more authority than mine.  Thanks "Linda" for the encouragement.

On a totally different subject, I'm loving rugby.  I love the team aspect, love watching these guys begin to "get" it.   And I'm totally pumped about our first game next week.  First home game EVER at IHS.  Ben and the boys are counting the days... probably the hours.  I think I am as well.

Taste of community

With the Christmas season in full bloom, it stands to reason that our Life Groups would be enjoying a bounty of sweet and savory.  Who am I to argue with that?  Pam and I were able to visit with two of the groups this past Sunday evening, and we had a great time.  What is really exciting, however, is to see people with varied past and interest come together not just for food, but for legitimate communion and fellowship.  

One of the groups that we visited last night put out a major spread, complete with a cupcake bar...  A what?  Yup, a cupcake bar.  The group laughed, ate, ate and laughed.  They truly enjoy being together.  Another group that we shared the evening with chose to go out for dinner.  Conversation was great, and the food superb.   The night held two very different venues, very different "feels," but with one huge commonality:  Christ followers and Christ seekers enjoying the evening and the season, and learning that we truly are created to do life together.  

I hope each of us can enjoy some time with those special people in our lives during this busy season.  

Hands on Franklin

Some things never get old.  This past Saturday, several Ridgies (Ridgeview Community Church) partnered with "Feed Franklin First" for the annual fall event of assisting under-resourced residents of Franklin.  I know the weatherman said it was cooler, but the sun was hot as we pitched in to set up a clothing area, food distribution, stage, and inflatable for kids.  Once again, Paul Kevetter, our Student Pastor, had his hands all over the event.  Several of our students where there to do some "heavy lifting" and multiply what Paul was able to do.  Just watching the people gather from the neighborhood told me that we (RCC) had an opportunity for Kingdom impact. 

We always learn from these kind of events.  Probably, we could have coordinated better, and executed better.  I guess my point is that this past Saturday was an opportunity for our church to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community.

Now, if we, as individual and families, can just begin to see the opportunities that we are presented with every day.  

Lets go change our world.

Connecting the dots.... Connecting lives

Maybe it would surprise people to know that our staff spent some time wrestling with the notion of community this morning in our weekly staff meeting. The importance of community and providing an environment for people to connect to one another is a high priority for our church. In fact, the highlight of the week comes on Mondays when we reflect about the stories that we hear coming from our LIFE Groups and individuals about how God is using people in the context of groups to "encourage each other in the journey."

So what was so special about our discussion to day? I guess it struck me as significant that after three years of promoting community as a cornerstone of a church, we still are willing to wrestle with the concept. We are still asking each other questions... often the same questions that we've asked before. But occasionally, we get new answers. Sometimes, in fact, we get answers that we don't really even want. The b0ttom line is we have to continue to create opportunities to connect. And they (the people that God continues to bring our way) get to define what "connect" looks like.

Each of us need significant relationship in our lives. Figure out how that looks for you and connect with someone with whom you can passionately pursue the Savior.