As we continue to explore a more authentic corporate expression I am reading some classic books that discuss community, beginning with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Life Together.”This is a relatively short book (147 pages) but quite dense, as are most of Bonhoeffer’s writings. (e.g. The Cost of Discipleship)
It was originally published in German in 1939 with the first printing in English occurring in 1954, nine years after Bonhoeffer’s death.
There are five chapters as follows:
- Community
- The Day with Others
- The Day Alone
- Ministry
- Confession & Communion
We begin considering chapter one wherein Bonhoeffer lays the foundation quoting Ps. 133:1,
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
His first assertion is that we should be ever mindful of how blessed we are to have fellowship with one another, for their are many throughout the world who walk alone.
“It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness, may be brief indeed. Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life with other Christians praise God’s grace from the bottom of his heart.”
In a time where mega-churches and sprawling campuses seem to be the norm in the USA, it is ironic that so many people in these churches are there to intentionally escape. Having been dissillusioned with charismania and the hyper-authoritarianism of so many independent church pastors, they willingly endure the lack of personalization to avoid hurt. But thanks be to God that He is radically restructuring our understanding of the corporate expression and relaying the foundations of relationship and servant-leadership.
Truly, our fellowship is with the Father and the Son – and by His grace has come to us as we are built together.