Community…Acts 2:42-47

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

Community. It was the natural result of redemption in Christ Jesus. Unique community. Not the kind we might be accustomed to, but rather a community of profound selflessness. You sense that something was transpiring of which people genuinely wanted to be a part. Close community. Authentic relationships.

Churches grapple with the creation of community. We’ll sing “We’re part of the family…” but struggle to feel as if we are such. Often in churches, the only thing that makes them remotely resemble “family” are the sibling rivalries between brothers and sisters. That kind of thing happens. The first century church experienced it and so do we. But it sends a disdainful message to those we are trying to reach. It’s hard to believe we mean it when we treat others the way we often do!

Community cannot be forced, though. Community like what we read about in Acts 2:42-47 cannot be created. Gimmicks, programs, and etc. cannot accomplish it. It really has to be natural.

The more and more I talk to people about why they attend church services, I continue to discover that it rarely has anything to do with the authenticity of church community. Consequently, when I inquire of non-church attenders as to why they do not attend regularly, it often has to do with the fact that they long for authentic community, but don’t believe the church offers it. Hmmmm.

We are wired for relationships. I contend its part of being made in God’s image. It wasn’t good that man should be alone, so God gave Adam Eve. It wasn’t good that Adam and Eve should be alone, so God gave them Cain and Abel. This triggered the populating of the world. Israel was proof that God believed in community. And the church, is the culmination of God’s community in Christ.

Whether we realize it or not, we need it. But what are we to think of those who don’t really want it? I’m not talking about outsiders, either. I’m talking about church members. They are out there, and if they really wanted it, those on the outside who desire the same wouldn’t suggest they cannot find it.