Our Natural Communities-NNYMC

Our Natural Communities

I was having a discussion with my wife this morning, after having attended our kids school’s Bush Dance. The evening was run to help raise money for the schools PFA and Chalency program.

Our family had a great time at the event and it was great to see the school community in action.

While it was clear to note that there was probably only a small percentage of the school community (students, staff and families), it really impressed me just how many teachers attended the evening.

Being a teacher myself (highschool) I know that any night out for a school related event, can often feel like a burden - let alone having and maintaining a positive attitude to it.

The discussion we had this morning was fascinating.

How has our interraction with community changed since our parents generation?

It dawned on me that it wasn’t too long ago that peoples lives revolved around a central geographic institution based way of living.

Let me explain:

It used to be that where you lived had great significance for the communities in which you lived out every aspect of your life.

- School
- Church
- Work
- Social Clubs
- Shopping and Markets

And I am sure the list could go on.

Also of note, is that this would be true for maybe several generations, where each of these perhaps descrete areas, in fact overlap in an organic, homogenus way.

Take the school community. People would have a long-term investment in the local school - it would be where they attended, where their children attended and where their grandchildren atteneded.

It is with this thought that I felt a sense of attachment, commitment and inspiration to our kids primary school - beyond the lip-service that I have afforded ideologies of comminity and organic and other catch phrases.

However, ultimately, the reality that we face now, is that all of the areas of our life are in separate geographic locations - which in its essence shows that we have had a massive paradigm shift in the way that our communities work.

We can’t find community in the way that previous generations have - so we need to re-think what the value of community is, how it is fostered, pursued - and what the cost is to see it realised in a meaningful way.

I think this conversation needs to continue.

Meeting tonight

Hey Guys,

I believe that it was suggested we go with the calendar and do a Selah Jam tonight at Hollier's place....

So - if you're all happy with that see you at ours tonight ;)

Chris

ps. Prob time to spend some time checking over calendar and updating it - also, I'll be out of action for about a month... so also might be worth considering that for Amy in the coming weeks....

Vocation is Integral

Hey guys,

Just listened to this in between parents (parent teacher interviews tonight).

Just beautiful, elequant and poinient.

If you have the time - listen, would love your thoughts -

[Click Here][http://www.qideas.org/video/vocation-is-integral.aspx]

Chris.

Sabbath

2013–07–11 Big Year - Sabath

• movement of going slow

• difficult when reading to kids, not wanting to skip certain parts (ie. go fast… not prepared to go slow)

• opinion on technology… they can be used to cement relationships, but often ists more of a divisive thing (not engaging), sts - people said in a conversation, even if not receiving a call, people felt less intimacy (possibility of interruption)

• some people have cracked down on it in church… (using phone)

• Use of Tech - frame it in terms of an addiction - to map this area, to know what is going wrong, computer fatigue (is it the same

Hare to guard the sacredness of the concept… always left over things to do….

Need to plan more diligently… structures in place… - Nathan took Ally out for a romantic escape - rule “no use of technology”

• Appropriate… use of technology - (restful use of technology - was that restful and restoring my soul? TV - watching a movie can be really good)
• Silence vs. Stimulating (being sensitive to one another and needs)
• Amy, start the day by saying, “I don’t need to do any of these things”, but as a need arrives, you can respond to it if it is restful. Also, not having anything booked in is good - plod around days - won’t feel guilty if I put a load of washing on in a relaxed, ‘have to do it’ way". Attitude towards work. Don’t mind stopping - or being interrupted. A posture - perspective - towards the day. Intentionality.
• Work out a way that God can be more part of the focus for the day - not just ‘rest’
• Good chapter on Sabbath - Isaiah - “don’t just do what pleases you, but do what pleases me.”
• God to rest - didn’t need to, but had a purpose in enjoying His creation.

Martin- - Screen free day on Sundays (not entirely successful) - like to watch an evening TV show… flowed into more screen time… Muddier - What we’re trying to achieve in our restfulness… the idea of mindfulness - very conscious, response to what you see, hear and sensing… what shuts down when you’re on a computer. - Be more connected with nature, creation or people. - Guided meditation resources…. developing own meditation approaches, focus… introducing edifying thoughts when your relaxing…. About the ‘I am’ statements of Jesus or characteristics of God (extended meditation) - dynamic of going to church, dynamic that you’re busy.

• Ally - George McDonald: paster more depressed on Sundays, should relieve them of the burden of Sundays,… walking first thing in the morning… watch the waking face of morning… can’t go along with it…

Monks - ’Stop doing list Cheerleaders - slow in a good way…. Activest - plan for ideal Sabbath

Good to have an ideas tree - rather than a full ‘plan’…

The Anatomy of the Church

What are we? Are we a body, a temple, a family? I found this summary of metaphors or images of the church to be very empowering but challenging.

More detail at this link

A New Race (Gal. 6; Eph. 2; 1 Pet. 2). We are “a new humanity,” “a chosen generation,” “one new man,” and “a new creation.”

A Family (Gal. 6; Eph. 2; 1 John 2). This is one of the most striking images presented in all the New Testament.

A Body (Rom 12; 1 Cor. 12). We are members of the Body of Christ and members of one another.

A Bride (2 Cor 11; Eph 5; Rev. 21). We are part of the most beautiful woman in the world.

An Army (Eph. 6). As followers of Christ, we are in a war against God’s enemy. But that war is fought by a corporate army.

A Holy Priesthood (1 Pet. 2; Rev. 1; 5). Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest, and we are priests unto God through Him.

A Holy Nation (1 Pet. 2; Rev. 1; 5). The word “holy” carries the idea of being uncommon and set apart.

A Golden Lampstand (Rev. 1-2). We are little lights joined together and made part of the same lampstand.

One Loaf (John 12; 1 Cor. 10). Jesus Christ is the one grain.

God’s Field (1 Cor. 3). We are the crops that have been planted and have grown up in God’s field.

A Vineyard (John 15). Jesus Christ is the vine tree as well as the new wine.

A Sheepfold (John 10; 21; 1 Pet. 2). Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd, and we are His beloved sheep.

A Temple (1 Cor. 3; 2 Cor. 6; Eph. 2; 1 Pet. 2). We are living stones designed to be assembled together with other living stones to form God’s House.

A City (Php. 3; Heb. 12; Rev. 21-22). We are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of God.