"And all that believed were together and had all things common." Acts 2:44
I recently viewed a Ken Burns documentary on the Shakers. Most of us, perhaps us older folks at least, have heard of Shaker furniture, meaning it was handmade by the Shakers. But perhaps few of us know that the Shakers were a community of believers in Jesus Christ who early on were noted to be praising the Lord with such enthusiasm that it appeared to outsiders that they were shaking the very building in which they were worshiping God. Unfortunately, they toned their worship down a bit, but retained the name Shakers.
What I found interesting about this documentary was that the early founders, one of which was a woman, believed what God's Word said about the community of the early church and set about to create a community of brothers and sisters with one common belief in Jesus Christ and having all things common amongst them. This community lasted for well over a hundred years and spread to include other like communities of Shakers throughout America. Today, unfortunately, there are only 4 Shakers remaining (not 4 Shaker communities, just 4 shakers still in their one remaining community.)
But while it lasted, they trusted God to bring into their community those who believed and they trusted God also to remove from their community those who did not believe. For example, in hard winter months, they suddenly had many "converts" who wanted to join their community, obviously thinking only of putting a warm roof over their heads. And the Shakers accepted this graciously and calmly, all the while knowing that these newcomers would not last long, and that God would weed them out from their midst before long. The Shakers were extremely industrious, believing that all that they did must be done with excellence for the glory of God. Most unbelieving newcomers quickly left for an "easier" life elsewhere.
While one has to admire the Shakers' attempt to live in community as they felt the Word was leading them to do, still their communities have all but come to an end, and we are left to ask "what went wrong"? Much as I ask today when looking at our modern-day churches and the lack of community therein.
Is it possible to have community, real community, in the church today? Do we understand what that even means really?
Because I want to look at this more closely from the biblical standpoint, I'm going to try to spend a little time on this subject for the next posting or two. It might be very beneficial to us to dig into the Word here and try to discover the full meaning of the scripture that opened this posting. This much I am sure of: we Christians were never meant to be islands unto ourselves, we were meant to live in close fellowship with one another, even as the Godhead lives in close fellowship.
Help us, Lord, to understand!
I have been “under the weather” for several days and am a few postings behind the group. Pondering on the “Community of the Brethren” posting, I am fascinated by your research on the Shakers….love the Burns documentary factoid about their “enthusiasm appeared to outsiders that they were shaking the very building in which they were worshiping God”. Wow! Can you imagine that scene? Wouldn’t it be interesting to travel back in time to experience a Shaker service!
ReplyDeleteMy modest research leads me to believe that this type of true experience with God in a church setting is few if at all. I cannot say I have ever participated in this type of community. When I go to church, mostly I believe people are friendly, kind, etc, but I feel they are so overwhelmed with their own “troubles” they become involved with others only on a surface type relationship. I must be honest and say that lately (past 5 years or so) I too am this way. I am too busy with my own troubles, or those of my family (immediate and extended) to “deal” with any “heavy relationship” with my church family.
I am trying to change this outlook. Over the past year or so, my husband and I attend a weekly bible study. This small group is dedicated to meet on weekly bases and study books of the bible. Last year we studied Genesis, now we are studying (and almost finished) with Exodus. Each week, we take turns teaching the others (6 individuals). At the end of our weekly study, we pray for the others in our group. Sometimes the prayers are general and other times, very serious. I feel connected to these people and enjoy their company and learn from each.
With churches today having memberships in excess of 300 plus, it is difficult to know most of your church family. In the past, I believe churches were smaller due to the fact most people lived in the rural parts of the country. Today, most people live in and around the big cities…thus larger churches.
Funny, larger churches doesn’t necessarily equate to closer fellowship.
I think this posting’s versus means we should mimic Jesus’ qualities and be able to recognize it in others. Below are a couple of other versus saying the same…
"Striving together for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27)
"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark those who so walk." (Philippians 3:17)
"Be comforted, being knit together in love." (Colossians 2:2)
Take care…GW
"Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as is the manner of some, but encouraging one another, so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
I think it's great that when you get together at your bible study you all take turns teaching or facilitating the study each week! It removes the "one-leader" mentality that I don't believe the early church had until it became institutionalized. Otherwise, Paul would not have had to say, All of you take turns, only three prophets at a meeting and all the other things he had to do to instruct them and help them bring order. Obviously they were ALL involved in some way. Paul's instruction was not to bring one-man leadership (even though it later became that which I believe he would not have agreed with). He just sought to bring order necessary with more than one speaking. Good job in your group!
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