As we are moving through the Purpose Driven Life message and small group series at Redeemer by the Sea, have you found something that has encouraged you?  Have you found something that has challenged you?  I have – on both accounts.   One chapter of the book, in particular, has caught my attention; that’s the chapter entitled “Cultivating Community.”  The content of this chapter pertains to a topic that is near and dear to my heart.  Next to reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel, there’s probably no single component of the ministry that’s more critical than that of cultivating community.  In fact that is why God has established His Church on earth – so we could exist in community while we wait for the Lord’s return.  The purpose of this community is twofold. First, it exists for the encouragement and edification of the believers who belong to the Body of Christ. Second, it exists to serve and reach those who are outside the Body with the Saving Gospel of Jesus’ sacrifice. We are stronger and we accomplish more for the Kingdom when we are together. 

   I particularly like Rick Warren’s choice of words: “cultivating” community.  Churches often talk about how they might “create” community at their congregation.  Truly, we do exist in a world that seems to be missing much of the sense of community that was enjoyed in days gone by.  Consequently, churches must do what we can in order to provide the means and the channels for people to gather in community.  We should always be thinking about how we can foster relationships and a sense of belonging to fill the gap that so many experience today.  More than ever, families are fractured or displaced due to education and work opportunities; and more than ever schedules are so full that people don’t have the time or energy to gather together with others for encouragement.  And yet, encouragement is what they need.  So churches attempt to create community where there was none.   However, just as with living plants – humans can’t create plants.  All we can do is plant seeds, water them and cultivate the soil to make it amenable to the growth that God provides.  Likewise in Christian community – churches cannot create community.  All we can do is ready the soil, plant the seeds and cultivate the ground to make it amenable to the growth and relationships that God provides.

   This is both encouraging and challenging to me.  I find encouragement in realizing that it is God that creates Community.  It is God who calls and gathers us into His Church; and it is God who enlightens us with His gifts and sanctifies us with His Holy Spirit.  That is a relief to me.  It’s always a relief to know that God is the one doing the work.  However, it is a challenge to me to realize that we have a responsibility to cultivate the community that God provides.  What can we do at Redeemer by the Sea to cultivate, nourish and enrich the community that God is creating among us even as you read this newsletter?  How can we be sure not to cut-off, choke or under-nourish the newly forming and constantly growing relationships that God is enabling?  

   In response to those questions I would propose a few thoughts.  First, as Purpose Driven Life so clearly points out, “Community requires commitment.” (p. 145)  This may be challenging for some, but truly the best congregations and healthiest small groups ask for a commitment from their members.  It is difficult to invest your time and energy into a group of people or a congregation where you are the only one committed to it.  At Redeemer, our membership covenant outlines certain expectations of our members including regular attendance, giving and service. In return, our congregation commits to join together with you along your faith journey and to preach the gospel and administer the Sacraments in a manner faithful to the Holy Scriptures.  Authentic community also takes humility. Selfishness and pride create mini-empires and barriers between people.  Neither serves to cultivate community.  In the Body of Christ, humility and charity become the common language and mode of operation that underlie all our dealings with each other.  This, combined with forgiveness readily given and received, makes a community strong against the attempts of Satan to disrupt what God is building!  Finally, in order to enjoy the benefits of community we must gather – frequently. This means that you and I must “do life together” outside of Sunday morning.  Once a week is not enough to enjoy the kind of community that God desires for us.

   So I end with both encouragement and challenge for you.  I encourage you to relax about being in community.  Recognize that just like each day’s “daily bread,” community is something created and provided by God.  The challenge, however, is for you to make yourself available to receive it.  How are you connecting with other believers in meaningful relationships? Perhaps something in this newsletter will give you an idea or an opportunity.  Or perhaps you have an idea for cultivating community you’d like to explore.  Either way, feel free to share those ideas with me and the other leaders at Redeemer!  We want to do all that we can as a ministry to help you experience the Community that Jesus Christ has died so you can enjoy!

In Christian Community with you, 

Pastor Augie