I do not know a numerous amount of things, but there is something I have noticed about the church. I have noticed it more in the southern part of the United States. The church often tries to replace community with cliques, inside jokes, or posse's.
Dictionary.com defines a community as, "Ecclesiastical . a group of men or women leading a commonlife according to a rule." Community in the Christian context should be leading a common life to the rule of the Word of God, and the two main rules of the New Testement. This is to "Love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, mind, and soul" and secondly "to love our neighbor as ourself." A clique is defined as, "a small, exclusive group of people; coterie; set." We should not make ourselves into an "exclusive" group. Exclusive makes Christianity like a club rather than a way of life.
As you grow in Christ it is natural to find others who want to grow in Christ also. You make friends, and before you know it, you are just like family. This is very true for how the church should be. However, this does not mean that we should be like our own selfish families, rather we should be a transformed community that becomes like family. We should all relate in that we see that the kingdom of God is higher than our own desires. We should want to grow this family of God for His kingdom. When new people arise in the group we should rid ourselves of jealousy. When others feel left out, or simply alone, the whole group should be the ones to reach out. In a transformational community it is not the job of the Pastor, the "Community Group" leader, the Community Pastor, Associate Pastor, or host of the groups to be the only ones reaching out. We should all have a desire to connect with others, as we have connect with the church. We should want to grow in love towards all members of the church, not just community group segregation, spiritual maturity segregations, the people we fit most with segregation, or just simple Christian vs. non-believers segregation. Too often, this is what the church becomes. I read recently that when a new members comes to church love on them from all sides. New members come in wanting to feel like a part of the group not like outsiders. But when your group becomes the inside thing, the new person becomes an outsider. As much as this I am sure is part of most churches, I really hope all people who are Christians see that Christian community had one purpose... TO GLORIFY CHRIST AND WALK ALONGSIDE OTHERS THAT ARE DOING THE SAME. Discipleship is where the family comes in. Discipleship is sharing your life with others so that the Glory is given to God. This leads others to His presence.
STOP TURNING CHRISTIANITY- which mean "little Christ"- into "SELFISH VANITY".
Just a soap box.
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