How’s your sense of ‘community’?
Carl Trueman, Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Grove City College in the USA, recently observed how swiftly things change in the sense of community –
‘Strange to tell, it was only a month ago that the nightly news was seasoned with inspiring stories of communities coming together in countless acts of kindness toward the vulnerable and needy in their midst in the face of COVID-19. The identity chaos of recent years seemed suddenly to have vanished. How naïve and paper-thin that renewed community now seems.’
He asks about the response – or lack of it – in other areas of denied human rights and dignity in the world. The silence, the seeming indifference in contrast to the rage is striking.
As we look around Melbourne in the past few days in connection to post-code restrictions are we being faced with the same question – Where is the ‘community’? Rationing has been kicked in again… I know that in part this is a question of distribution problems, but a former practice is also gaining momentum – that of hoarding just in case. Where is the ‘community’?
The care and compassion of recent weeks (such as it was) seems to be evaporating quickly. The reality of course is that it was highly selective as well as paper thin. Just tune in to the web to public comments by our political leaders and you see the horrid abuse being cast. Look at how if one is deemed to be out of step with the latest narrative how quickly they are assaulted in social media.
But is the church ‘community’ paper-thin in reality, easily broken by the fear of covid-19, by disagreements over secondary matters? What of our family life – is this not ‘community’ also. Are these not models as well as factories for the wider sense of community? Are we quick to label those who dare to disagree with us, and in so doing diminish not only their contribution but them. Patient, calm, rational engagement from and with the Word – shall we not give ourselves a fresh to this? Shall we not ask of ourselves what sins are we hiding, deflecting from by the way we see and are critical of the wrongs in others?
Perhaps it is time to remind ourselves of one of the hallmarks of the church of Jesus Christ:
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
As we do rejoice in the community we have in Christ, may we continue to give ourselves to cultivating, renewing, strengthening it. What can you do to that end? Examine your prayer life – are you praying regularly for others in the congregation? Do you notice a need that pulls on your heart? How can you respond either personally in practical ways or by involving others? As opportunities come to be together, will you value the privilege – even if in your own situation it may not yet be wise? Is there opportunities to serve the church – now or potentially in the future? Will you put community above personal interests even though legitimate in themselves?