Community
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Old man Webster defines community as a unified body of individuals. Kind of like a puzzle, each piece fitting together for a unified purpose. The early church knew what unity was all about. In Acts 2, we find that early believers met together in homes, shared meals, but it was more than just meeting together for a good meal. It wasn’t a country club or social group. They met together for a purpose; they lived and worshipped together as a community. That is what exchange is about. We are a community of people that are together for a reason. We are not a club or organization that exists for ourselves, we have a cause (check out “Cause” for the scoop on that). We have a great time, we love, disagree, laugh, argue, and treat each other like family (actually, better than some families!). If you are looking for a place to belong, regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey (or if you have yet to start), exchange is a great community to check out.
Not sure if I am posting this in the right place but.. I understand what you are saying about community and I think it is a good thing. However, when I go to Maryland I don’t see a lot of community within. I see leaders of the church have their own community but as far as the people who are there to worship in church and maybe looking for support in their cause, there is none. People are spread out in fear of touching each other, and in order for a person to meet the pastor one would have to wait until no one was talking in order to make an intro. I had an experience with one pastor who was very short and uninterested in who I was because he was talking to people he knew when I came up. I have not approached anyone since. I just leave through the back and does anyone notice? How is that a community? Don’t get me wrong I like Maryland and I drive quite a ways to get there. I really like the concept of community, cause, and christ. But how can we help our community when we feel so isolated ourselves?
Art Reach, conneXion, chiX, many small groups, bible study groups, oppurtunities to get involved in the Wee Village, the technical team, 7th day cafe, hospitality team, prayer team, worship spaces team, crash events. All of these are within MCC and beyond. Many, many, many variations of ‘community’. I simply have to reject the assertion there is lack of support.
I’m typically not an outgoing type person, I’m usually more introverted. But, being an adult, I realize that if I want to feel more involved then I am going to have to extend myself a bit.
If I happen to leave through the back door without anyone noticing, then it is my own fault. There are ample, ample, ample opportunities for me to be noticed before I leave. Simply find a table that is looking for volunteers. Or, sit down and ask someone how they are doing.
Amy, the above post is quite old, and I hope you have been able to find that there is so many oppurtunites to be involved in His cause through community.
Next time, before you leave out the backdoor stop by and introduce yourself to me. I’ll notice if you don’t