Thoughts from the Desk

The Grittiness of Community

Monday 23rd, November

posted by: Jenny Pryor

On Sunday afternoon the women’s spiritual formation group grappled with what it means to be a true community, not, as Scott Peck puts its, “pseudocommunity”. Despite what ethereal images come to mind when we think of community, community is in fact a spiritual discipline and is much more than just holding hands around a campfire.
Jan Johnson writes that “community as a discipline is about loving people you prefer to ignore. It’s about including people the church doesn’t (seem to) need, or even the disgrunted people you secretly think the church would be better off without”.
Community is gritty….
“People who have nothing in common talk and work alongside each other until some of their sharp edges are rounded off. Eventually you treasure this person who could not be more different than you.”

If we apply the measuring tape to our church I think we’ve come along way in building community. But there’s always room to be more inclusive, less self-absorbed and less prickly with those who see things differently.
Bring on the measuring tape if it means renovations that will build a community that honours Jesus and the people he loves.

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Comments:

I love the thought of treasuring people who are different. I don’t think it’s as hard as we first think. It just takes, as you say, a little less self-absorption. If I don’t watch myself, I can get so self-absorbed that I feel like I’m my own Slurpex!

By David Smith on 23 Nov 2009

DS - What’s a Slurpex?

Jenny - Sorry for the late comment - I love this post and I love the phrase that “community is in fact a spiritual discipline”. I love the our community - to be gritty ... things to think on.

By melissa on 06 Dec 2009

A slurpex is one of those chamois blocks that you buy at the show that can absorb the whole murray river with one dab!

By David Smith on 08 Dec 2009

Mm, that’s deep.

By Jenny on 08 Dec 2009

Like a Shamwow then? Chamois aside, I like your post Jenny. Inclusiveness often pushes us beyond our comfort zone but if we are seeking true community, it needs to.

By andrea on 10 Dec 2009

It leads me to think of who I am trying to connect with. Those that need connection or those that make me feel okay. No cost, no benefit.

By David Smith on 10 Dec 2009

Hi, Jenny, It is a great thought.Thank you for making parkside so welcoming to different people. But sometimes that when we realise that we are different that is hard thing to treasure ourselves difference.

By ying yu on 14 Dec 2009

mmm I think that’s a really challenging thought about who needs connection and who I want to connect with because they make me feel ok ... and about how to intentionally and practically include people on the fringes ...

By melissa on 15 Dec 2009

@Melissa, I think you do a great job already. You’re naturally gifted in hospitality. I have the spiritual gift of receiving hospitality. That’s why we’re friends!

By David Smith on 15 Dec 2009

@Ying I like what you say. The differences are what makes us richer, but we all try so hard to conform. Perhaps because we’re still learning to accept the differences or not to be afraid of them.