What is Community?

Recently, I was trying to explain to someone why the value of "community" at my church (Solomon's Porch) was so important. Unfortunately, all of my explanations fell short.

Later on, as I thought about it more, several images came to mind of when I "felt" like I was engaged as part of the community at the Porch. These were some of those times...

• Slouching on a sofa with a stranger, drinking Dunn Bro's coffee, and listening to the weekly message.
• Holding Josh & Michelle's son (Toby) and playing "telephone" with him during the service.
• Going back for seconds of bread during communion because I was hungry -- and not being the only one in line twice!
• Having a person that I don't know walk up and say "May the Life of Jesus Be in You", and mean it!
• Getting a chair massage from the resident therapist (Marlene) during the service.
• Grabbing a burito after the service with Pastor Doug and hearing about his week.
• Viewing comments from me and others projected on the screen from our Tuesday evening Bible Discussion Group.
• Having the keyboard guy from the Worship Team (Cory) come sit by me during a song break and invite me to his next gig.
• Grabbing half price appetizers and beer after church with people from the Porch and connecting with them through meaningful conversations.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think community is about connecting. It's about enjoying and tolerating, celebrating and mourning, but mostly about sharing you life with others.

Our church isn't perfect, because people aren't perfect. But, everytime someone reaches their hand out to me to hold as we sing the benediction, I realize that this is a strong symbol. We are connecting our hands, our hearts, our families, our dreams, and our lives with something larger than ourselves. For me, that connection creates a community -- and community is a very good thing!