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by Chas Jaskulski
As I was driving on the highway last week, I found myself reflecting on the rampant use of texting, face booking, and tweeting, for communication today. While contemplating this, I happened to dodge a vehicle swerving into my lane while the driver was traveling 70 miles per hour, looking down texting. After I honked, the driver looking punch drunk, got back into his lane, and continued texting. Perhaps NASCAR needs to intervene before bump-drafting becomes legal on our highways. Just kidding, of course.
I imagine this form of communication in a technical sense has kept us connected to one another, yet sacrificing to some degree eye to eye, face to face dialogue. I will not denigrate these modes of communication, however, I will acknowledge that they contribute to the erosion of the necessity to leverage intimacy into inter-personal relationships, which effectively builds community.
Our social networking seems to massage our lusting after our own individual interests, often times at the expense of weaving our way into others' lives and community. A sage once said, "a rolling stone gathers no moss." This proverb of old has quietly become a covert mantra of our culture during the last few decades. The application of this proverb seems to accurately reflect our innate yearning to "go it alone", as opposed to "going it together."
It does appear to me that it has become countercultural to embrace community, share one another's burdens, be vulnerable to one another, develop deeper unconditional friendships, and carry on like we really care. Life in a church community, like the one we are committed to developing here at Hope Church, is the antithesis of individualism. We are not only committed, sold out, and seeking to do what Jesus laid the blueprint for - "expanding the gospel of grace", but are attempting to make this a joyous experience with all the lumps that go into the gravy.
Why all the fuss? Well, if living individualistic, unconnected lives is so rewarding, then why are the leading prescription drugs psychotropic - mind and mood altering? These drugs range in all styles to suit young, old, male, female. It concerns me that more people are going to a variety of doctors for some mental, biochemical challenge, than for physical ailments. This is not normal. Our diagnostic culture can set their sights on peripheral solutions to this problem, if they ever see it as a problem. The responsibility for a massive, intense transformational change toward the move to community lies squarely on us, the Church.
How do we build community? How do we as a church fulfill responsibility to build, or in this case rebuild, an eroding culture? It evidently is not through the social gospel "doing good to those in need." The social gospel helps on the short term, but it misses the foundation of encouraging and participating in community building. Community building through small group development is a full contact sport. Participation is mandatory. Are we acting on our calling, or are we in the armchair quarterback mode? Believe me, these questions are not only pointing at you. They are pointing at me. After all, we really only do things that hit an activation chord in our hearts. It's easy to make excuses. It's hard to jump into the deep end of a pool when you can't see the bottom.
Make yourself available to become friends with non-Christians. Participate in, or look to start a community group, and encourage your Christian brothers and sisters to do the same.
After all, aren't we the living, breathing, organic extension of Christ in and throughout our community? Are we making a difference? Are we helping people from becoming, or continuing as, rolling stones? Make like moss, and get connected! |