Community

     I got the opportunity to preach at the Well on Sunday and chose to talk about Community, here is an overview, in blog form, of my sermon:

     Last week Kennon talked about doing something.  Tonight we are going to talk about United Methodism and more importantly wesleyan theology and the practice of doing something in community.
     Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious beliefs.  Theology literally means to talk about God.  Our theology is accountable to scripture...

Acts 2:42-47: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.  All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.  Day by day, as they spend much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.  And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."

     Koinonia is the idealized state of fellowship and community that should exist in the Christian church.  Sometimes we are not good at being in community.  Sometimes our heart and mind and are not in the right place or some people go to church once a week to feel good about themselves and get their card punched.  Sometimes we misunderstand what church is.  The church is no longer just inside the church building, church is outside the walls.  Sometimes we disagree on things and when we do we don't disagree with an attitude and spirit of love.
     But more importantly we do things very well in community.  When there is food and fellowship, we are there.  We are great in showing love and support for those in need.  We are great at meeting needs.  I would have never thought about a ministry such as the Washing Well, but luckily someone else did.  We are great at involving others in ministry when it is needed.  And when we agree well, we get things done very quickly.
     Community holds the idea of joint participation in something with someone.  When community is present sharing and giving becomes tangible.  Community is similar to the marriage bond, because the community has a common interest that can hold people together.  Community is about spiritual relationships.  It is something that is held jointly to honor God.

Luke 5:9-10: "For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.  Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.""

     Community denotes a unity of purpose and interests.  We are a community of faith.  We are called to go fish for people.  We are called to be partners with other Christians.  So go out and expand the kingdom.  Go out and share your stories.  Go out and spread the gospel.  Go out and fish for people.  The common interest in the previous scripture is that they would be fishers of people, or as one of our youth so eloquently put it: "they were no longer fisherman, they were people men."  (if you don't laugh then I guess you had to be there)

grace & peace
Kevin