The best one-word description for how we should do life together would be … “community”.

The power of Christ is amplified when even two or three gather in His name (Matthew 18:20). It is in our unified voice and collective presence that we can best see the glory and the beauty of Jesus.

The best two-word description would be … “redemptive community”.

When we are able to create that … families, teams, organizations and churches … all get better, healthier and more life-giving in every way.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, renowned Christian minister, professor, and author states in his book, “Life Together”, that it was his unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years in Germany that gave him his practical insight into how it is through our life together in Christ that we are sustained and made strong.

Philip Yancey, reminds us in his book ‘Vanishing Grace’, that we can not live out our pilgrim faith alone. It is only in community with others that we can experience healthy growth and change.

This is the very core of Christian fellowship.

Creating Real Community … Calls For Redemptive Commitment!

We must note that the opening chapters of the book of Acts are dedicated to making this clearly known to us. From very small beginnings, the early church, once empowered by the Spirit, established itself as a radical, relevant presence based on their commitment to this reality.

Look again at Acts 2:42-47 …

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

They were together … devoted to one mission, experiencing deep fellowship, witnessing the manifest power of God, sacrificing to serve others, staying connected daily both in the temple and in their houses, receiving abundant favor … and they increased at every level … every day!

Community … better still … redemptive community!

Very impressive and certainly highly desired … and it is ours to experience and enjoy!

Creating Real Community … Calls For Redemptive Commitment!

It is critical that we say yes to this … and to fully embrace that this is our mission … this is our call!

The truth is that inside the context of community, everything is to be crafted in a very redemptive way …

▪ This is the exceptional measure of grace that we always want to offer
▪ This is the exclusive manner by which we live
▪ This is the endless movement that must go on and on

All of this begins with our decision to put these things in place everywhere we can, every time we can.

If we begin to walk toward this, God will work out all the rest.

I am in … and you?

-Terry-