Our Quest for Authentic

Community

"Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." -- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Several years ago the Gallup Poll organization asked Americans to reveal their greatest problem. Their answer might seem surprising: Our #1 problem is loneliness! How can that be? With cell phones, wireless Internet, chat rooms, My Space, You Tube and any number of other communication resources, you would think we are the least lonely, most connected society in civilization. Here's the problem... an experience of authentic community involves more than the sharing of information. Community isn't created by shared information but by making a heart connection with living, breathing people. Most of us aren't looking for an organization to join... most of us are searching for an organism to be joined to... "a living and spontaneous association of individuals who know one another intimately, care for each other deeply, and feel a kind of respect for one another that makes rules and bylaws unnecessary," (Brother Andrew). Be honest. Don't you long to be joined to a living, loving, healing, helping, giving, growing organism? It is possible wherever two or three of us gather in Jesus' name. -- Bob