Shared Community

the dilemma: We all WANT community but the distance to actually experience it is sometimes long and filled with many obstacles.

 

The bottom line is that we all want to belong. We want to be known, heard and embraced as we are. We want to be around people where we don't have to pretend. We want to be accepted completely and entirely: the good, bad and ugly.  Sometimes we have a template in our head of the kind of community we want. For some of us it's what we see in TV shows like "How I Met Your Mother". "Community" or "Parks and Recreation". For others it's that ONE small group we used to be a part of back in the day. Or for others it's that circle of friends you had when you were in University or College. There is nothing wrong with these ideals; it's just that instead of looking at the present, we seem to be looking "backwards" or at an "illusion".  Sometimes, the biggest threat to living in community isn't how far or challenging it is, but our passive decision to do nothing about it today.

 

the assumption: The leadership of City South/Centre will create the community I want.

 

There are several problems with this assumption. One, the leadership doesn't know what community you want. Sometimes, the community you want isn't necessarily what you actually need. Second, the leadership cannot force people to be friendly, vulnerable, committed and dedicated to you.  Thirdly, I'm not sure we all know exactly what community is supposed to look like.

 

 the reality: We sometimes feel insecure, unprepared, uncertain, apprehensive or discouraged to take the leap towards vulnerability and commitment that community requires.

 

You may have tried to put yourself out there so this kind of conversation brings up old wounds. Maybe, you've felt the sting of rejection and so the idea of seeking community again seems painful.

 

As leadership we have started an initiative called Shared Community.  It's an incomplete, raw, unrefined idea that will require all of us to challenge our assumptions, take risks and commit to the journey.  Community is not instant nor is it cheap. 

 

In the meantime, let me leave you with this question:

 

If I had the chance to be intentional about belonging to a community, what is ONE thing I'm willing to sacrifice?