What is the point of community?

I'm still reading through "The Relational Way" and the key point that keeps coming up is that the focus of any community group meeting shouldn't be to develop relationships with one another, although that is a crucial part of a community group.  The focus should be on Jesus Christ and having Him at the centre of each get together.  That puts a community group in a whole new light, doesn't it?

Recognizing the value of community

I'm following up from my latest blog post regarding M Scott Boren and his book 'The Relational Way'.
We don't always choose community even if deep down that is what we really want. So, to get people involved in community groups, we need to show them the value of community. What are some ways we can do this?

Relational living in an isolated world

Is it even possible to live in relationship with more than just your core family these days? Even as someone who desires to live in community, I still struggle sometimes to make sure I create opportunities to experience community. I agree with M. Scott Boren who wrote in his book that the culture really tends toward isolation. That means that we have to try twice as hard to make sure we follow God's way of living in love and community, and we actually have to teach people how to do this. We can't expect them to live this way organically. Even if we are all meant for community, that doesn't mean we will easily tend toward that.

Sticky Church

I read Sticky Church by Larry Osborne a while ago and the idea of the sermon-based small group seemed good. I just recently finished reading this book again and the basic ideas of the book finally sunk in.
If community groups are going to be about community, why spend so much time dithering about curriculum and study topics? Stick with the sermon-based study, and you can spend a lot more time building relationships and supporting one another.
More on this another time.

'Community: Taking Your Small Group Off Life Support'

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.