Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Lindsay Tanner suggests ways the Churches could improve community engagement - On Line Opinion - 13/4/2004
In this interesting article, Lindsay Tanner highlights the social problems caused by the increasing importance of individualism in society and suggests how the churches could change their strategy to regain their relevance and support "Community" in a greater way.
I find it interesting because although I see myself as a "rugged individualist" though in a gentle way, I also clamour for community. For me, one of the reasons that I have moved away from 'community' as it is expressed in the church, is because it seems to be a double-edged sword. what I mean by this is that in order to stay inside, we are required to conform to a certain norm. Although I don't strive to be different, I resist any pressure to 'fit in'. Obviously, the churches, being intrinsically conservative, tend to make anyone outside of their 'norm' feel uncomfortable. Though unstated, the choice is generally, 'fit in or ship out'.
What I look for and long for, is a community where I am accepted regardless of what I am like. I don't find that Christian churches are very often like that. There is a danger in saying that it is 'Christians', rather, it is just humans generally. Community, I think, tends to be driven from a tribe mentality. One of the characteristics of a tribe is the need to make everyone 'look' similar, so that the tribe can tell the difference between those who are inside and those who are not. Creating communities of unconditional love almost seems to be self defeating if this is true.
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In this interesting article, Lindsay Tanner highlights the social problems caused by the increasing importance of individualism in society and suggests how the churches could change their strategy to regain their relevance and support "Community" in a greater way.
I find it interesting because although I see myself as a "rugged individualist" though in a gentle way, I also clamour for community. For me, one of the reasons that I have moved away from 'community' as it is expressed in the church, is because it seems to be a double-edged sword. what I mean by this is that in order to stay inside, we are required to conform to a certain norm. Although I don't strive to be different, I resist any pressure to 'fit in'. Obviously, the churches, being intrinsically conservative, tend to make anyone outside of their 'norm' feel uncomfortable. Though unstated, the choice is generally, 'fit in or ship out'.
What I look for and long for, is a community where I am accepted regardless of what I am like. I don't find that Christian churches are very often like that. There is a danger in saying that it is 'Christians', rather, it is just humans generally. Community, I think, tends to be driven from a tribe mentality. One of the characteristics of a tribe is the need to make everyone 'look' similar, so that the tribe can tell the difference between those who are inside and those who are not. Creating communities of unconditional love almost seems to be self defeating if this is true.
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