COMMUNITY: A unified body of individuals; a group of people
with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger
society; an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common
location
“Community: a fellowship of little people who together make
God visible in the world.� Henri Nouwen
“Into community you were called- the call was not meant for
you alone. In the community of the called you bear your cross, you struggle,
you pray. You are not alone, even in death.� Diedrich Bonhoeffer
When 74 individuals travel from all over the globe to a
designated meeting place to eat, sleep, worship, and grow together; the
definition of community becomes crystal clear. And although it may be clear, it
doesn’t mean it’s easy. There are the simple challenges, like: sleeping next to
the “snorer.� And hygienic challenges, like: wanting to take a shower and
you’re #53 in line. Then you have the logistical challenges, like: herding 148
arms, legs, fingers, and toes from one location to another. But in all honesty
these are the superficial, surface struggles of daily community life. The true
test of community is found in character development. Things like: honor,
integrity, patience, kindness, gentleness, love, trust, humility, thankfulness,
being above reproach, transparency, compassion, and so on. When an individual
is deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, the challenges of community life transform
into opportunities to dig deeper roots.
