How to Community

Whereas Christians often define their faith primarily as a system of beliefs, Jews see doctrine or belief as only one - and not the most important - of several elements constituting the essence of Judaism. In the words of the Jewish scholar Nicholas De Lange, "To be a Jew means first and foremost to belong to a group, the Jewish people, and the religious beliefs are secondary, in a sense, to this corporate allegiance." This deeply rooted biblical emphasis upon folk -- that is, the group -- is underscored by the fact that most Jewish prayer employs the whole community."  One of the best-known biblical prayers expresses this communal factor in it's opening words: "Our Father in heaven." In the words of an old Hasidic saying, "A prayer which is not spoken in the name of all Israel is no prayer at all." Jews have taken seriously the teaching that everyone is his brother's keeper (Gen. 4:9). Thus, each senses a responsibility for his neighbor's shortcomings and needs. Indeed, no one lives in total isolation from his neighbor.
-Marvin R. Wilson, Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith

Is there anything more beautiful than a community loving one another and supporting one another? In contrast, one of the ugliest things in life is segregation. One of the most beautiful aspects of Christianity is when we live out the teachings of Jesus to love our neighbor as ourself (and "neighbor" was anyone and everyone - humanity - i.e. the story of the good Samaritan).

When a community gathers around the teachings of Jesus, we not only share beliefs, but we share LIFE with each other -- ups and downs -- riches and poverty -- and by being involved in each other's lives we will NATURALLY take care of each other. We don't have to compare doctrines and beliefs when you genuinely love someone and invest in their lives. God never intended faith to be complicated -- therefore when we simply "love one another" we are "fulfilling the law" of God. God is love - therefore God IS a relationship (in the most supernatural, mind-bending, mysterious sense) - so when we do relationship we are imitating God. Beautiful!