Can we talk? I mean, can we have a real conversation here? That would require us being in dialogue, which means you would need to talk too, so can we talk? I have a question on which I seriously would like your input. It is as follows.
What are the blessings of community? What blessings have you experienced as a result of being part of the Community of Christ? When Doctrine and Covenants 161:3a says “invite all to share in the blessings of community, what does that mean to you? Can we identify the blessings we have to share?
In order to make this easier, I was tempted to create a survey so that you would only need to check the boxes beside the benefits you have experienced, but that might be making it too easy. I could be putting words in your mouth, and I want to hear your thoughts on the subject, not simply have you agree with one of my ideas.
So can we talk? Will you click on the Read or Post Comments button below and share the benefits you have experienced? You may not think it, but your thoughts are important. I think they matter. If we know what it is we have to share, then perhaps we can do a better job of sharing it.
The statement in Section 161 we are discussing is:
Invite all to share in the blessings of community.The context in which the statement is embedded is as follows.
Open your hearts and feel the yearnings of your brothers and sisters who are lonely, despised, fearful, neglected, unloved. Reach out in understanding, clasp their hands, and invite all to share in the blessings of community created in the name of the One who suffered on behalf of all. – D.&C. 161:3a
You may wish to consider the statement alone or in context. Either way, I hope you will share your thoughts. You are welcome to do so anonymously if you prefer. So there is the question. Will you share your answer?
Posted by Carman
Posts
hey! lets talk!
ReplyDeletethe congregation, the church within the mission centre... its like family. i have friends within the church who are dearer to me than some of my family! LOL!
when i travel i am well accepted, welcomed and made a part of the group... i am not outside looking in. i have close friends and contacts quite literally all over north america and in some other parts of the world!
the community gives me a place to hone my skills as i take on preaching, planning, activities, etc... the skills i have can be put to good use...
these are some of the blessings i realize, just off the top of my head! let me give it some more thought and see what i can come up with!
john
What are the blessings of community? On a personal level it is where I learned so many things and was given opportunities to share my story, to lead a class, to give a sermon, pray for others, to share generously, develop long term relationships etc.
ReplyDeleteThe blessings I have received far outweigh what I think to be obedience to the Lord. Being a part of Community of Christ has provided me with an avenue towards the unthinkable, unbelievable, indescribable, blessings to which I have been showered with. Glory to God!
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to put into words that which I have taken so for granted in community ! There's the rich mentors who have taught me about myself and others; hope for the task of bringing peace to peoples' lives; accepted development of my God-given talents in loving community; new awareness of my relationship with God through others; and the richness of a church family who love me and I love in return; the extended family no matter where I travel who share hospitality and God's welcoming. Yes, my life has benefited in numerous ways having been a part of a loving community.
ReplyDeleteThanks to each of you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate that you have taken this seriously. Opportunities to experience God, meet new friends around the world, learn and grow, develop gifts and talents, and offer ministry to others are already on this list.
ReplyDeleteI hope others will continue to share their experience with us here.
Carman
My analytic mind always wants to go to "what is the crux of the issue here?" And so the question I ask myself is, what is it that is unique about being in the community that the church is called to, versus any other community?
ReplyDeleteFor me, it comes down to one central or pivotal concept. In this community, I am loved and accepted - and valued - simply because I am. It has nothing to do with whether or not I do a certain job, or whether or not I do that job well. It has nothing even to do with whether the other people even like me. Or agree with what I think. I am simply valued and accepted because I am a child of God, a part of the family. Not because I was born into the family, but because each of us has chosen, in joining this family or community, to accept each other in this way.
For those of us who have always had such community in our lives, I suspect it's difficult to grasp how unique and important this is. I can think of no other community (other than birth family) where I have that same sense of unconditional belonging and acceptance. (And even in the birth family, for too many it's not there.)
Do we always do a great job of this? No, certainly not. But we keep striving for it.
To me, this is the greatest blessing I have experienced in community.