As we talked today about
what it means to be a Christian Community I wondered even more how we determine
some of whose in and whose out. We seem to categorize all the time. We talked
about social media communities and never came to an answer as to whether some social media communities were Christian communities or not. Does the element of a virtual space
that exists on social media in and of itself mean it is “out” from being deemed
a Christian community? Or is there something more to it?
I like to believe there is
something more to Christian community. We talked about Dietrich Bonhoeffer today and his book Life Together and Prayerbook of
the Bible. I have to agree with him when he says, "The Christ
of Life Together is the binding force of
that community in its "togetherness," gracing Christians to go beyond
the superficial, often self-centered, relationships of their everyday
associations toward a more intimate sense of what it means to be Christ to
others, to love others as Christ has loved them." (page 8) As this image shows,
I think of Christ as the center in us the one in whom we are always welcome and
where we learn how to see and love others.
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| http://www.thechristiancommunity.org/about/ |
I think when we can form
this commitment in Christian communities to love as Christ first loved, something powerful is truly at work.
Parker Palmer talks about in his book, To Know As We Are Known: Education
As A Spiritual Journey, community takes commitment. I do
not think any community truly functions well without a level of commitment. It
is in this commitment that forms in communities that knowledge arises. I would
even go to say in Christian communities when we are committed to being Christ
to others and to love others as Christ has loved it is then where we start to
gain an even deeper and meaningful understanding of God. I also believe that
when this plays out in effective ways, especially in social media there is a
value for how it proclaims the gospel. The specific notion of this that comes
to mind is Abiding Presence's YouTube channel and
specifically this video.
What ways have you seen
Christian community effectively portrayed in social media? How do you see it
proclaiming the gospel?
Cool video - the two small kids working together to carry that chair is adorable! And also a really excellent image of Christian community - being committed to working together to do something despite our limitations.
ReplyDeleteCan social media house Christian community? Sure! Perhaps a helpful framework would be Ephesians 4:29, where we can think of the things that are helpful for building up the community.
I love this image you're sharing here -- and thanks for the stream to the church's youtube account!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting the church's video you spoke of in class...to answer your question, in some ways, I believe every form of social media utilized by a church, Christian organization, etc., effectively portrays Christian community. It's all relative to what that community needs or defines as 'community'. Could some groups/parishes amp things up or do more? Always, but I guess I follow the adage that if it reaches even just one person, it was worth what little or big effort was made. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI think you are right, by reflecting God's love to others we come closer to God ourselves. I also think that by loving others we also learn more about what real love is and we come to a deeper relationship with ourselves. Today's Church I think needs to be less about them vs. us but us together.
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