Create Community

Early Anabaptists sought to be in covenant with each other in Christ-centered community. This grew out of recognizing that Jesus began his own ministry by forming a community around him. Community is a strong antidote to the individualism and indifference of modern culture, and it brings together neighbors who are too often strangers.

Christ-centered community (From What Is an Anabaptist Christian? by Palmer Becker)

In today’s world, Christians with an Anabaptist perspective understand and practice Christ-centered community in three distinct ways:

1. Forgiveness is essential for community.

Photo by: Jerry L. Holsopple

Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He prayed fervently that we would be one with each other even as he is one with the Father. A warm sense of community and all the benefits pertaining to it emerge when members of the body of Christ are committed to asking each other for forgiveness. Confession and forgiveness remove the barriers that prevent fellowship with God and with each other. Anabaptist Christians believe that forgiveness is essential for creating and nurturing community.

The central problem of humanity is not the lack of finances, the lack of education, or the lack of power. The central problem is that we offend each other. From the very beginning of time, human beings, both as individuals and as groups, have offended God and each other through their attitudes and actions. The result has been broken relationships with God, with each other, with our inner selves, and with the whole earth.

The turning point in resolving an offense usually comes when one party sincerely repents and asks for forgiveness. Unfortunately, in the non-Christian world, attempts are made to forget without forgiving. Often, denial and defensiveness take the place of honest confession and forgiveness.

2. The Scriptures are interpreted in community.

Photo by: H. James Kaufmann

Many Christians limit themselves to the private study of Scriptures and then proclaim to others what they have personally understood them to say. When individuals limit themselves to such private interpretation, they often arrive at and proclaim confusing and false understandings of Scripture.

Other Christians see trained pastors, priests, and instructors as being the only ones who are capable of properly interpreting the Scriptures. As a result, lay people often neglect personal study and application. Christians from an Anabaptist perspective believe that the Scriptures need to be studied both privately and in the context of a Spirit-guided community where fellow believers give and receive counsel. Generally, community members who come together in small groups, classes, and conferences in the Spirit of Christ can best determine what a Scripture is saying to them about a particular situation.

3. Community is experienced in face-to-face groups.

The church has sometimes been described as a two-winged bird. One wing represents the larger worshiping community where vertical relationships with our transcendent, holy God are emphasized. The other wing represents small face-to-face groups where close horizontal relationships are emphasized. Both wings are needed. Some aspects of Christian living happen best in relational groups of twelve or fewer people. This is often true as we give and receive counsel, discern gifts for mission, and have fun and fellowship. Healthy congregations are structured for community. They are often networks of small groups. Some would go so far as to say that the small group is the basic unit of the church.

In summary, Christians from an Anabaptist perspective experience Christ-centered community as the center of their life. They tend to see:

• forgiveness as being essential for community;
• dialogue and group discernment as necessary for the interpretation of Scripture;
• small face-to-face groups as central to the life of the church; and
• believing in Jesus, belonging to the church, and behaving in a new way become real in the context of community.

Quotes related to community

Desmond Tutu, South Africa, 1994

Africans have a thing called ubuntu, which is about the essence of being human. It is part of the gift that Africa gives the world. It is about embracing hospitality, caring about others, being willing to go that extra mile for another. We believe that a person is a person through other people. My humanity is at once bound up inextricably in yours. When I dehumanize you, I inexorably dehumanize myself. The solitary human being is a contradiction in terms, and therefore you seek work for the common good. Your humanity comes into its own in community and in a sense of belonging.

Jesus, Palestine, 33

“While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.” Luke 24: 41-43

Jesus interacted with many of his friends, followers, and even “sinners” gathered around food. His first meal after his resurrection finds him asking for food. Sharing around tables and food is one way so many experience Christian community and human fellowship.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen and Mennonite Girls Can Cook, U.S. and Canada

Two blogs at contrasting ends of the community spectrum of Mennonites can be found linked below.