As a college professor, I teach courses about community and organizations. It is interesting to watch young college students as they begin to understand the structure of community. They have lived in a community, well multiple communities really, all their lives without understanding or even considering what that means. As they develop their knowledge, they begin to understand their responsibilities and roles within the community. In our case, the college community they live in 9 months out of the year.
And, like all college students, mostly they complain about their community and expect the faculty, staff and administration to fix it. They don’t get off that easy with me because I point out that if they don’t like their community, they are responsible for changing it. That really bugs them and they are not alone, it seems to bother everyone living in community. Don’t you believe me? Well then look at the current political campaigns, where citizens look to the politicians to make their world better.
The same is true in religious/spiritual communities. We go to church and expect that pastor (or sunday school teacher) to teach us, tell us what is right and wrong, and give direction to our lives. When we do that we abdicate our responsibility. In the book of Hebrews, we are called to “gather as community” and to “inspire each other to greater love and righteousness” (The Voice). Imagine if we all went to church with that goal in mind. Ask not what your church can do for you but what you can do for your church, to steal a bit from JFK. That is our responsibility as members of a spiritual community.
And, in these politically charged days, imagine what would happen if we took that same responsibility for our town, state, and nation. To inspire our communities to Love and Righteousness. Wouldn’t that be an interesting place to live? Gandhi said to “be the change you wish to see in the world”. Simple words to read, complex words to live by.
My wife and I are new members of a church. Being in community is important to us and makes our lives complete. As we become part of this community, it is important that we keep our responsibilities in mind. That we go to church to inspire others to love and acts of charity. That we be the kind of community members that give first to the spiritual community. This is important to me, my daughter is a minister and she experiences first hand how people really act in church. They expect their pastor to give all and do all, while they sit back and take. Most of the work in church is done by a handful of people. Isn’t that sad?
So, I resolve to be what I am called to be in my communities. An inspiration to love and doing good deeds. At home, at the college, at church and in my online spiritual community. Please do your pastor (and my daughter) a favor: be the change you want to see at your church. Trust me, you will receive far more than you can imagine.
TMM