Building community brings positive change
I'll never forget Eric—who lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—nor what he managed to accomplish in and through community.
I met Eric, a former child soldier in a violence-plagued town called Beni, in the country's northeast this past May. Speaking with him reminded me of the power, resilience and effectiveness to be found in community.
Eric, 16, is president of the local child parliament and works on behalf of children in a region where 1.4 million people are displaced because of violence. His leadership of a determined group of more than 100 teenagers has spearheaded change.
Change has meant abandoned babies placed in homes, children liberated from adult prisons and the successful lobbying of the local government to close 80 per cent of the town's brothels.
Youth, working together in community, are saving the young. And in the process, they are cultivating more than community; they are giving birth to hope, healing and courage.
Of course, being in community has benefits beyond the group and beyond the DRC. Research has shown that having a strong sense of belonging to one's community is highly correlated with physical and mental wellbeing. Statistics Canada tells us that between 2003 and 2008, about 65 per cent of Canadians stated that they had a somewhat strong or very strong sense of belonging to their community.
We know community was important to Jesus. He chose to carry out His ministry—intentionally—in and through close relationships with others. As Christian leaders, we strive to follow His example.
The evidence is everywhere. But the ways in which many Canadians are choosing to build and sustain a sense of community are changing. And one thing is for certain; increasing numbers are seeking that sense of belonging apart from their local churches. According to Statistics Canada, 21 per cent of Canadian adults today say that while they regularly engage in private religious practices, they infrequently or never attend religious services.
With working women the rule rather than the exception, urban populations expanding, commuting distances growing longer and technological innovations changing our day-to-day behaviours, people are also adapting how they connect with and care for one another.
Whereas families might have once gathered weekly around the Sunday dinner table, today, many families are huddling around computer screens for Skype calls. Not so long ago people sent cards and letters to convey good wishes and mark special occasions. Today, they're more likely to pass along jokes, photos and messages via e-mail, or to post a message on the wall of a Facebook friend.
In fact, Dr. Richard Beck, professor and experimental psychologist at Abilene Christian University, posits on his blog that, "Facebook killed the church." Noting the precipitous decline in church attendance among the Millennial generation, Beck observes mobile social computing has freed that generation from the need for meeting places to affiliate socially. "One of the key attractions of the church in past generations—social connection—has been effectively replaced," he writes.
Yet, as Christians, we have an opportunity to build communities in new ways. Online Bible studies and social action groups are some examples. People can be anywhere and connect in ways that honour God and love the neighbour.
The Bible says, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
The human need for community is fundamental. We form communities because we can do things better together than we can do them alone. The stronger and more resilient the community, the better it can absorb a shock when a shock comes along.
Jesus teaches us to contribute in community, to love one another as He loves us, not just to love others as we love ourselves; in other words, to love others with the love of God.
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