Okay, so I have finished reading Brad House's book 'Community'. I would highly recommend that you read this book, if you're remotely interested in community groups. House's book was extremely helpful in seeing what the scope of community groups could be. We can take our groups beyond bible study; we can engage our members with real 'living together' experiences. Community groups can offer individuals the opportunity to provide hospitality to friends and neighbours, great times of fellowship, bible learning, and support for life experiences.
I'm struggling to put my thoughts on this book into words. Basically, you need to read it.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Getting involved in community
I'm still making my way through Brad House's book on community. It is so fascinating I'm learning a lot. One thing that I've been thinking about lately is the need to get community groups involved in service. We need to get out of our living rooms and go make a difference in the world. I'm asking myself, "How can I bring the love of Jesus to my community?" As I think about the possibilities, I know it'll involve some work, but surely it'll be worth it!
I don't know how long it'll take, but when I'll let you know what the results of this new initiative will be. Perhaps you can be thinking of how you can get involved as well.
I don't know how long it'll take, but when I'll let you know what the results of this new initiative will be. Perhaps you can be thinking of how you can get involved as well.
Friday, May 4, 2012
True community
I'm reading a book by Brad House right now titled 'Community'. You should check it out. It has a lot of great insights about how to foster true community. Humour me while I provide you with a rather lengthy quote from his book.
"Since community is a blessing of God, a community group should be life giving to its members. Unfortunately, many of our experiences have been different. Community groups are often seen as obligatory and life taking. We secretly hope the kids will be sick so we can stay home. We know if we go, then Sally is going to dominate the conversation with the same issues that we've heard for the last three weeks, and insensitive Rob is going to miss the point and start lobbing verses at her. As this drags on, Jim is going to try to prove he is the smartest guy in the room by parsing a Greek verb and quoting dead Puritans. Then, just in time is running out, we will go through prayer requests for each other's aunts' cats that are suffering from angina. My only prayer will be that it ends soon so I can go get one marquises of banana bread and get home to my TV. This is not a picture of community. Yet many of us have settled for this experience because we don't know better or because we consider it a modern form of self-mortification." (p 98)
I'm not saying that that is particularly my experience, or yours, but it did resonate with me. In past times, I have felt that the interactions of a community group have felt forced and did not seem genuine. Brad has given me some great ideas for how to change that kind of situation.
"Since community is a blessing of God, a community group should be life giving to its members. Unfortunately, many of our experiences have been different. Community groups are often seen as obligatory and life taking. We secretly hope the kids will be sick so we can stay home. We know if we go, then Sally is going to dominate the conversation with the same issues that we've heard for the last three weeks, and insensitive Rob is going to miss the point and start lobbing verses at her. As this drags on, Jim is going to try to prove he is the smartest guy in the room by parsing a Greek verb and quoting dead Puritans. Then, just in time is running out, we will go through prayer requests for each other's aunts' cats that are suffering from angina. My only prayer will be that it ends soon so I can go get one marquises of banana bread and get home to my TV. This is not a picture of community. Yet many of us have settled for this experience because we don't know better or because we consider it a modern form of self-mortification." (p 98)
I'm not saying that that is particularly my experience, or yours, but it did resonate with me. In past times, I have felt that the interactions of a community group have felt forced and did not seem genuine. Brad has given me some great ideas for how to change that kind of situation.
Deluge of information
Well, it's been a few days. The main thing that I have found out since my last post is that there is a considerable amount of information in the wide world about community groups. People have discussed how to establish groups, ongoing operation, discussion content, the main reasons to start community groups, and more! It seems that they all have different things to say about the world of community groups.
Personally, I'm still digesting what I've read. To help you out, I'll point you in the direction of some of the resources I have found. Once I come to some conclusions on the various materials I've reviewed, I'll post some further ideas.
Personally, I'm still digesting what I've read. To help you out, I'll point you in the direction of some of the resources I have found. Once I come to some conclusions on the various materials I've reviewed, I'll post some further ideas.
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