Interdependent Community

As I’ve been working through the idea of what real community is over the last few years, I’ve noticed something interesting.  It’s the idea that affluence can be a hindrance to community.  I’m not saying that people with money are incapable of experiencing community.  I’m not saying that at all.  But I do think affluence can be just one more distraction if we’re not careful.  It’s awfully tempting to forsake meeting with one another when there are more alluring opportunities before us.  It’s awfully tempting to forsake meeting with one another when we don’t really feel we need to. 

I’m beginning to realize that interdependence is a crucial ingredient in “real” community.  I don’t use the term “interdependence” loosely.  I mean it in the utmost sense of the word.   When people need each other… really need each other, community isn’t some desire, some romantic notion within the latest missional movement book, or some great spiritual goal – it is necessary for life itself.  It is heaven-sent, life-giving provision for the survival of the church.  There’s something to be said for a bunch of folk living in close community with each other - not only sharing things, joys, and burdens, but also seeing each others “dirty laundry” lying about.  In this environment, it is difficult to hide.  You cannot be one person during the church meeting and another during the week.  Perhaps this is why the early church exploded and thrived the way it did - interdependence was already woven into their culture.

   

As another wave of foreclosures are set to sweep this country, as people lose their homes and move in with friends, neighbors, and relatives, I can’t help but think, “What a blessed opportunity for people to live in true community together.”  What ideal conditions for discipleship to happen!  What an opportunity to experience blessed interdependence.  May we as the church grab hold of that opportunity.     

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.