Sense of Community in Churches: A Practical Theological Perspective

Ian HusseyMalyon Collegeian.hussey@malyon.edu.au

2013 ANZATS Conference

Introduction

When have you experienced a powerful sense of community?

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.

Methodology

Mutual Critical Correlation1. The situation2. The Christian tradition3. Other source of knowledge

• Theology has logical priority• (Swinton & Mowat, 76, 87)

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

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.”

Sense of Community

An extra-individual constructUsed by a range of disciplinesPopular usageApparent in a variety of contexts

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.

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.

Membership

Sociological Description:Boundaries.Emotional safety.A sense of belonging and identification.Personal investment.A common symbol system.

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

Membership

Mutual Critical CorrelationSame emphasis, different rationales:

Personal security & sacrifice Legal, control & expulsion The body, sacramental observance and agape love

Healthy identity Evangelism

Membership

ApplicationThe “blurring” of the boundariesBaptism and the Eucharist as boundary markersTeam T-shirtsLanguage & symbolsClear pathways

Influence

Sociological Description:A sense of “mattering”Bi-directionalCoherenceConsensual validation

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

Influence

Mutual Critical Correlation:Essential agreement

a community of influence

Congregational governmentLeaders can be influenced

Influence

Application:Investment in discipleshipPerception of influence

consultation

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

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

Integration and Fulfilment of Needs

Mutual Critical CorrelationMeet the needs of others -> personal need fulfilmentShared spiritual values -> potential for need fulfilment

Integration and Fulfilment of Needs

ApplicationThe poison of individualismHighlight core values:

Mutual need fulfilment (e.g. social justice) Mission

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.”

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)

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

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)

Shared Emotional Connection

ApplicationEmphasise the ritualsThe time poor communityInvestment in small groups

Missional groups

ANZATS Conference

What elements of sense of community have been present at this conference?

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.

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.

Conclusion

The added dimensions:FamilyHospitalityThe presence of Christ (Matt 18:20)

Christian community is not some extraordinary social experience - it is a divine reality

Questions or comments?

ian.hussey@malyon.edu.au