About Last Night
Last night some of us got together for a time of learning, some really good stuff was discussed as to where we are as a community right now and some of the exciting challenges we are facing (I am an optimist!).
Andrew spoke about how often our community gatherings tend to be of a dualistic nature - our conversations reflect a distinct difference between the unspiritual and the spiritual, and the real challenge lies in moving from the unspiritual to the 'spiritual' without officially 'starting' the meeting. Why is it that we find this so difficult?
Before Adam and Eve sinned, they were community beings, they were in perfect community with God (who within Himself is perfect community) and with one another. They felt no shame in their nakedness because they were unaware of their nakedness. After the fall they moved from being to being individuals, they were aware of their nakedness because they had become individuals.
Are we living as community beings or as individuals. If I come together with a group of believers as a individual being, then it will always be about me, my needs, my preferences. I will have nothing to give, nothing to contribute from my week etc. However if I come as a community being, then I come as one having been in community with God, and desire to be in community with my brother and sisters. I will share and encourage because I am a community being.
Phil 2:1-5 "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus"
Andrew spoke about how often our community gatherings tend to be of a dualistic nature - our conversations reflect a distinct difference between the unspiritual and the spiritual, and the real challenge lies in moving from the unspiritual to the 'spiritual' without officially 'starting' the meeting. Why is it that we find this so difficult?
Before Adam and Eve sinned, they were community beings, they were in perfect community with God (who within Himself is perfect community) and with one another. They felt no shame in their nakedness because they were unaware of their nakedness. After the fall they moved from being to being individuals, they were aware of their nakedness because they had become individuals.
Are we living as community beings or as individuals. If I come together with a group of believers as a individual being, then it will always be about me, my needs, my preferences. I will have nothing to give, nothing to contribute from my week etc. However if I come as a community being, then I come as one having been in community with God, and desire to be in community with my brother and sisters. I will share and encourage because I am a community being.
Phil 2:1-5 "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus"
posted by Shane at 2:19 pm
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