Building a genuine community

Running a church certainly isn't easy. As we (my Pastor and I), drew up the blueprints for our Youth/Young Adults ministry in church, we basically targeted on building relationships, maintaining them and forming an authentic community. But yet, as she wanted more emphasis on community building, I couldn't really get her, as I wanted us to begin evangelism work around the area.

However, reading through Sivin Kit's blog about issues churches face now, including the yearning of a genuine community and spirituality versus the the idea of a church just being a fuzzy-huggy club, I realised, 'Hey, ya! This is the way we should actually go!'

I mean, after all, the attraction of some sweet young thing (or buffed up guy for the females) might hold our attention span for awhile and make church going pleasant while the attraction lasts. But what next? Is church just all about being there on Sunday for the sake of attendance, and later going back and resuming our normal lives? Is church just a portion of our lives, where we later go back and resume normalcy? And doesn't dat makes the church, erm, pardon me saying this, but 'abnormal'?

One reason why I choose this church to serve in, was the fact dat I wanted a community to grow in, a family to have, friends to count on. But yet, I find that we're a little cut short on this. Most of the time, we just meet each other on Sunday, and dats it. No more. We're just Sunday friends, whereupon we would go back to our normal bunch of friends after dat.

Authentic genuine community. I'm sure the hurting world would want dat too. I'm sure a bunch of disillusioned youths would 1stly go for a place where they can belong, even more than how happening it is. I mean, if you just emphasise on the happeningness without the relationship building, where would you be? Wouldn't we be just like any social club? Why not then change the church into a Lions club or Rotary club instead?

There is only so much an evangelist can do. Even if he preaches and half the nation gets saved, could the saved be succesfully be integrated into the church? People talk about megachurches. But do all megachurches foster relationship building and spiritual mentoring?

Or do most just go for the numbers? Bring in more people! We need 2000 people by 3 years time! I've seen some going down this path. Heck, I was even at a youth leaders/pastors meeting, and some seem to go around asking others how big is their flock. Aren't we all servants of God? Who serve God because we love Him? Would we be willing to work with just 10 kids our whole lifetime, if God calls us to, just to see them grow and mature in Christ?

As a Pastor, God'll hold them accountable for their sheep. Are they able to nurture the 2000 into a thriving community where everyone's need is met? Or would it just be for glamour and name sakes?

I'm left with many thoughts on this issue. Especially after reading some stuff about the Emergent movement and also topics of the Youth Builder book also seem to emphasis on a proper community building. Is that really what we need?

God Bless~!