I used to think church was for the community. The community was imperfect but that was kind of the point. It's nice to have people around that know you and share the church point of view. Sometimes they are a challenge because they are people; other times they gather you in their arms when you need it. I am now part of a Buddhist Sangha -- I still like the community aspect-- but what I realize now is that isn't just the community. It's the community doing a spiritual practice together (in this case meditation) and sharing a religious tradition, that has raised my spirituality to a higher level.
Thank you for commenting, Katie! Hmmm. The community aspect does seem to appear quite often whenever I ask this question. I have a bit of a problem with this answer because I don't get the community thing personally. Probably my pk upbringing--we only kinda sorta belong in the church--plus some other things. Maybe that's why Chesterton's story resonates with me so much.
It sounds like you're enjoying the Buddhist Sangha! Had to look it up, in all honesty :) I'm a tiny-bit-nearly-but-not-quite-jealous of the community feeling you're describing. But we are what we are. I'd love to hear more about it. Maybe in your newsletter?
I used to think church was for the community. The community was imperfect but that was kind of the point. It's nice to have people around that know you and share the church point of view. Sometimes they are a challenge because they are people; other times they gather you in their arms when you need it. I am now part of a Buddhist Sangha -- I still like the community aspect-- but what I realize now is that isn't just the community. It's the community doing a spiritual practice together (in this case meditation) and sharing a religious tradition, that has raised my spirituality to a higher level.
Thank you for commenting, Katie! Hmmm. The community aspect does seem to appear quite often whenever I ask this question. I have a bit of a problem with this answer because I don't get the community thing personally. Probably my pk upbringing--we only kinda sorta belong in the church--plus some other things. Maybe that's why Chesterton's story resonates with me so much.
It sounds like you're enjoying the Buddhist Sangha! Had to look it up, in all honesty :) I'm a tiny-bit-nearly-but-not-quite-jealous of the community feeling you're describing. But we are what we are. I'd love to hear more about it. Maybe in your newsletter?