Perhaps I should be more specific about the quotes in my last post. These were quotes that were used to get discussion going on the panel at our worship gathering. They are quotes from various bloggers on the subject of community in general. [Note to self: I guess I should not post late at night anymore - I leave out important details.]

The stories and thoughts shared by the panel: Adrian, Gail, Amber and Jason [and led by Steve] were amazing to hear.

• Some were stories of the struggle to find community at The Freeway, others were stories of finding a "home" very naturally as part of the church community.
  
• Some were stories of needing to make a decision to stay and make it work, others were stories of inclusion and embrace from the get-go.
• All the stories we heard were from very unique people with unique backgrounds who have found their way into our community within the last couple years, and now make The Freeway home.

I am always intrigued when I get to hear people's perspective on their experience at the church community. Often, as one of the leaders, I think I am blind to how things really are sometimes. I have not in all my life had to join a church community. I don't know what it's like. I am not sure that I would ever be able join a church community. And as friendly and welcoming as I think The Freeway is, there are people who, for various reasons, have a very difficult time making a connection.

To say that The Freeway is a story about successful community building would be a lie. Although, we have definitely been able to to find healthy community to some extent, and continue to try and invite others to be part of healthy community as we learn what that is... but it also the story of failure in community.

Melissa and I told the story of community at The Freeway recently to a bunch of church planters and other assorted riff raff, at the Cultivate Gathering. You can listen to the podcast of that talk courtesy of Resonate, if you want.

We will host part two of the panel discussion on community in a worship gathering in early January, as there was just so much we couldn't talk about in one night.

Labels: community, the freeway