Minutes from First meeting -Thursday, May 18, 2006
Living In Community
Meeting Notes: 5/18
Some Main Thoughts
1. We have a dissatisfaction with the current interpretation of the gospels because the lives of Christians today follow the same paths as the rest of the world.
2. The church at different points throughout time has tried to redefine ways to live out the gospel and this is a challenge that is given to each generation.
3. It is important that we take a slow approach when considering moving towards a lifestyle contrary to what we know and what is all around us.
4. We need to figure out: does the gospel call us to do this? (Move from “islands” to a “network”)
5. The gospels give us examples of people who abandoned everything to follow Jesus, but what does this look like in the 21st century here in the USA?
6. The Church is something that we should “be” not somewhere to “go to”. We feel that we come to church and get a taste of community but then are disappointed by a lacking. “What’s behind the curtain?”
7. We are cautious of becoming a “cult” and want to take many measures to prevent looking like one.
8. While we feel that living in community is important, it is not the key. Direction from God is the key. If looking for fulfillment or purpose, it will not be found in community. Only God can reveal our individual purposes in life.
9. The world is constantly trying to sell to us and we feel that the church is doing the same thing, saying “Come, buy our brand of spirituality, our brand of lifestyle.”
10.Whether we commit to a lifestyle change now or do it later, we feel that it MUST be done soon. We are ready for a change.
What will this study look like?
- Meet every other week
- Spend 3 months looking at the New Testament
- We are not the “good guys” – others outside our group are no better or worse than we are. We simply want to reevaluate the way we are living our lives for God.
- Isolation will kill us. We must remain connected to a larger community. (Ecclesia, etc.)
Comments of Individuals
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Haley Fletcher |
We should live life deliberately, without separation between our spiritual lives and the rest. |
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Clint Mathews |
(Referring to current life) What did I sign up for? Is this it? (Referring to living in community) We probably can’t do it alone |
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Trevor Ming |
There exists in America a gap between contentment with going through the motions and those who are fed up with the fluff that the church serves, those who want the truth. “Purpose and meaning do not come until we start doing what Christ has already done” |
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Nick Demaio |
(Referring to the American Dream) What is the point? Should we “do the American Dream” in a “Christian-sort-of-way”? This doesn’t seem consistent with the Gospel. Rugged Individualism – lifestyle very private. Need don’t meet up with resources because of our individualism. |
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Rick |
Community is under our noses in our neighbors. Can we bypass the excess consumption to avoid redundancy? We need to be careful not to misuse resources. |
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Heather |
I’ve always been told I was entitled to live like I have a lot of money, even if I don’t. I don’t have to be a conservative to be a Christian and I don’t have to be a liberal to be a radical. No Christian Bubble! |
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Megan |
I hate church but I love Jesus. When we isolate ourselves, we don’t have to tell others what your up to. Discipline from community helps; I can’t do it by myself. With a crew, we can be Jesus |
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Jessy |
I live the same numb life without exhilarating risks. Mission trips provide an awakening not because of their location but because we are in community with a purpose to serve God. |
Readings and Questions to Ponder
1. Is there something practical that we can do for someone else in our community? As God to reveal this.
2. Luke 12:15, 29-34 (Especially Luke 12:32)
3. Acts 1-5
4. Additional readings – How Then Should We Live, Community of the King, Irresistible Revolution
In Attendance: Victor Udoaba, Megan, Heather, Rick, Nick Dimaio, Trevor Ming, Clint Matthews, Haley Fletcher, Ian Uriarte, Jessy Steen