First published, 4/16/2014
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (RSV Bible- 1 Corinthians 12:1-26)
I am incredibly excited by what is possible in my community of faith right now. For Lent my pastor has been delivering a series of sermons on how we are all connected and that it takes all of us in community to act as the body of Christ. I have been yearning for that experience of deep and meaningful community. I could call it authentic ‘Christian Community’ because what I see in the bible are stories about how are called to treat each other, and work together- as one body.
The passage from 1 Corinthians that my pastor used really says it for me. We are supposed to be unique and different and yet, re-member that we are part of a whole and don’t exist alone. It seems that in the society around us we believe in ‘individualism’, where we honor doing what is right for ourselves and not what is best for the whole body. To me it seems that people are isolated, feel powerless and valueless. Personally I can’t take it anymore, now I want to feel connection with others.
What better place is there to experience deep and authentic connection than in a faith community? Many are talking about the evolution of “religion” or that “religion” is a thing of the past. But if authentic community is what is going to re-connect us and help us meet the challenges of our time, then helping our faith communities to know how to meet our current needs is vital. My work is to help faith communities take a fresh look at their patterns, thinking and beliefs so that it can let go of those that don’t work and construct a new one, one that creates connection and co-creation.
Are you ready too, and yearning for an experience of authentic community? I am happy to be involved in a faith community that is being led by a pastor who is calling us to think about how we are each a unique and indispensable part of one body.
Tell me what you think. Are you yearning for this experience too?