Community

So I was writing another blog entry about authenticity because that’s what we are talking about in church, but I think GOD wanted me to talk about Community. Stay tuned for the authenticity blog…

Community- n. 1: a unified body of individuals: a group linked by a common policy 2a: joint ownership or participation b: common character : likenes c: social activity : fellowship

What is it like to build a sense of community as well as build a culture within that community? The definition kinda sums up what community really is. Community is a large group of people with a general commonality. What unites our community? Personally, I want a society full of Love and Grace. So a couple of Thursday’s ago, I went to the latest Element Info Meeting. Bobby was talking about how we are going to transition from Revo to Element. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m on an emotional roller coaster when it comes to the transition. Part of me is very excited, while the other is scared to death. Well the main vision of this church is to “be the church”. “Church is not 4 walls, and a place you attend, but it’s who we are and what defines our identity.” I’ll be honest with everyone, ever since I started attending Revolution; it felt like my life has been going in the right direction, it felt like I have been building my identity. I’m not saying that I don’t know who I am, I’m just saying that I have learned so much during my time at Revo. I have built so many wonderful relationships with people, I have built my life on God’s foundation and I have truly found myself. It scares me to see Revolution end, and have nothing to smoothly transition to. It really does feel like Revo was my second family and this whole situation kinda reminds me of Mike D’s going away service. He said “You never really know what you have until it is gone.”

So now that Revolution is coming to a close, and Element Church is just revving up, we are tasked to build a sense of community. Come to think about it, there are about 70-80% of the people that attend Revo that are probably going to Element. The other 20-30% of the Revolutionaries attend their own church on Sunday’s and some will stay with the Crossing. So how do we build this community? As you probably read in my last blog, I am going to have a Home Church. This will consist of 10 or so people (slightly larger than a small group). I have been wrestling with the idea of where when and how this Home Church will happen. All I know is the home church will be stripped down to its basic core. God has been placing in my heart these 3 areas: Celebrate ME. Formulate Deep Relationships With Each Other. Love Others Without Falter. And just to make sure I got that through my thick stubborn skull he showed me this:

“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!” - Philippians 4:3

On top of this Nourish (www.myspace.com/NRSH) will still hold strong. I think God’s vision for Nourish is to unite everyone; those who aren’t going to Element as well as those who might have “fallen through the cracks.” Nourish is a group of individuals in search of GOD as well as good food. We journey through Tampa Bay to experience each other as well as experience new cuisine. I would like to see the Nourish Events be the celebration of what values Revo stood for, and what it brought so many people; a sense of belonging. So my challenge to everyone is to plant our seeds within each other, I mean really try. Let’s burrow our roots so deep that even when the Revolution services end, the actual Revolution will begin!

“Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”

-Galatians 6:8-10