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![Page 1: Sense of Community in Churches: A Practical Theological Perspective Ian Hussey Malyon College ian.hussey@malyon.edu.au 2013 ANZATS Conference.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022062517/56649e7e5503460f94b814e7/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Sense of Community in Churches: A Practical Theological Perspective
Ian HusseyMalyon [email protected]
2013 ANZATS Conference
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Introduction
When have you experienced a powerful sense of community?
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Methodology
Practical Theology“Critical, theological reflection on the practices of the Church as they interact with the practices of the world, with a view to ensuring and enabling faithful participation in God’s redemptive practices in, to and for the world.”
Swinton, J., and H. Mowat. 2006. Practical Theology and Qualitative Research. London: SCM , 6.
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Methodology
Mutual Critical Correlation1. The situation2. The Christian tradition3. Other source of knowledge
• Theology has logical priority• (Swinton & Mowat, 76, 87)
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Method
Mutual Critical Correlation1. Other source of knowledge – a model of sense of
community2. The Christian tradition – theological critique3. The situation – application observed and suggested
Rural Salvation Army Regional Pentecostal Sydney Anglican
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Sense of Community
Tönnies:Gemeinschaft (the village or small town with strong kin and friendship linkages) Gesselschaft (the impersonal city).
Sarason: “the feeling that one is part of a readily available, supportive and dependable structure that is part of everyday life and not just when disasters strike.”
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Sense of Community
An extra-individual constructUsed by a range of disciplinesPopular usageApparent in a variety of contexts
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Sense of Community & Churches
Mental & Physical HealthChurch GrowthNCLS Sense of Belonging:
Frequency of church attendance.A sense of growth in faith.Commitment to church vision and directionPositive experiences of worship services.Involvement in outreach activities.
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A Model of Sense of Community
McMillan, David W., and David M. Chavis. 1986. "Sense of Community: A definition and theory." Journal of Community Psychology no. 14:6-19.
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Membership
Sociological Description:Boundaries.Emotional safety.A sense of belonging and identification.Personal investment.A common symbol system.
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Membership
Theological PerspectiveThe body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-27, Rom 12:4)
Mutual belonging & honour
The mark of the follower (John 13:35)SacramentsOutsider/Insider distinction (Col 4:5, 1 Cor 5:9-13, & 1 Thess 4:12)Reformation – regenerate membershipFormalised membershipPhysical barriers
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Membership
Mutual Critical CorrelationSame emphasis, different rationales:
Personal security & sacrifice Legal, control & expulsion The body, sacramental observance and agape love
Healthy identity Evangelism
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Membership
ApplicationThe “blurring” of the boundariesBaptism and the Eucharist as boundary markersTeam T-shirtsLanguage & symbolsClear pathways
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Influence
Sociological Description:A sense of “mattering”Bi-directionalCoherenceConsensual validation
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Influence
Theological PerspectiveSalient featureCalled discipleshipLeaders to influence: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Heb 13:7)Followers to obey: 1 Cor 16:15-16; 1 Tim 5:17; Heb 13: 17Acts 15
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Influence
Mutual Critical Correlation:Essential agreement
a community of influence
Congregational governmentLeaders can be influenced
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Influence
Application:Investment in discipleshipPerception of influence
consultation
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Integration and Fulfilment of Needs
Sociological DescriptionReinforcement = rewarding through need fulfilmentDiverse: status, sharing in success etc.Shared values: similar needs, priorities, and goals -> better able to satisfy their needs
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Integration and Fulfilment of Needs
Theological Perspective:Personal need fulfilment?
Servanthood (John 13:14-15) “value others above yourselves, not looking to your own
interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Phil 2:3-4)
Shared values Unity of faith (doctrine) (Eph 4:12-13) -> unity of values
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Integration and Fulfilment of Needs
Mutual Critical CorrelationMeet the needs of others -> personal need fulfilmentShared spiritual values -> potential for need fulfilment
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Integration and Fulfilment of Needs
ApplicationThe poison of individualismHighlight core values:
Mutual need fulfilment (e.g. social justice) Mission
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Shared Emotional Connection
Sociological Descriptiondefinitive element for true community positive ways to interactimportant events to share opportunities to honour members opportunities to invest in the communityshared history“Spiritual bond” – “It is very difficult to describe this important element.”
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Shared Emotional ConnectionTheological Perspective
Jesus “to be with him” (Mk 3:14) “eagerly desired” (Lk 22:15) shared Passover
Jerusalem Church Shared possessions (Acts 2:44)
Paul Desire to meet Romans Rom 1:11 Ephesian elders (Acts 20:37) Share burdens (Gal 6:2)
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Shared Emotional Connection
Mutual Critical CorrelationThe power of the rituals: corporate worship, christenings, baptisms, weddings and funerals.Breaking of bread: the story retold and re-enactedBaptism:
powerful shared event honouring of heroes the spiritual bond that unites the whole community made
tangible and celebrated
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Shared Emotional Connection
Mutual Critical Correlation“Shared Spiritual Bond”
Shared salvation (Eph 3:26-28) – “you are all children of God through faith”
Shared unity - “oneness” of body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father of all (Eph 4:5-6)
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Shared Emotional Connection
ApplicationEmphasise the ritualsThe time poor communityInvestment in small groups
Missional groups
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ANZATS Conference
What elements of sense of community have been present at this conference?
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Conclusion
Membership: Churches should maintain strong boundaries to emphasise who is in and out of the community and what one needs to do to get “in”.Influence: Churches need to maintain a focus on discipleship to build influence but they also need to emphasise consultation in order to ensure that church members feel they have influence on the operation of their community.
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Conclusion
Need Fulfilment: Churches should focus on strong communication of the shared values of the community especially in seeking to put the needs of other’s first.Shared emotional connection: Churches need to strongly invest in creating the environment where history is shared, memories are created and individuals are able to relate to others on a deeper level. This may occur at a church wide level or in mission driven small groups.
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Conclusion
The added dimensions:FamilyHospitalityThe presence of Christ (Matt 18:20)
Christian community is not some extraordinary social experience - it is a divine reality