"Man is a knot into which relationships are tied."         

--Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 

We live in a culture that values individualism and privacy.  In the thousands of lifestyle choices that shape our daily routines, we are able to insulate ourselves from unpleasantness--and from others around us.  Yet despite this cultural environment, the call of Christ is clear:  He prays that we may all be one, that the world might know that the Father sent Jesus. We believe that growth and renewal takes place within the context of community.  As we devote ourselves to one another with increasing vulnerability, the gospel frees us from hiding our faults.  We are finally free to struggle, and as we support each other the reality of the gospel transforms us. 

 

The call of Christ is to live in community with other sinners redeemed by grace.  If we hope to experience oneness in Christ, rather than simply reflect the values of our insular culture, we must regularly participate in communities in which we meet Christ, develop friendships, exercise our spiritual gifts and reach out with the gospel.  This is as much true for our children and teens as it is for adults.  Our children's ministries, youth group, fellowship groups, and men's and women's groups are meant for this.  They are face-to-face small and medium size communities with the purpose of discovering relationships and growing in Christ by his word and through his Spirit.