After a year of absence, I have finally finished the book I was reviewing-Following Jesus in the Real World. Now I will take the chance to briefly finish my comments regarding the book.
As I wrote about previously this book addresses the problem many Christians face when they leave college. Whether you attended a private university or were involved with your local campus ministry, tight friendships and purposeful community forms. This community tends to dissolve once we leave college. Sure, I'll give you occasional opportunities to meet up with old friends for lunch, attempts at forming weekly gatherings at the karaoke bar. Life is just not the same after college. We are not all hanging out, going to classes, worshiping, planning retreats, going to retreats, etc., etc., anymore. Richard Lamb, the author of this book does give some advice.
Primarily, Lamb is a huge proponent of communal living. This topic is present most everywhere in his book. What he suggests is not what people typically think about communal living; and he even admits communal living is not for everyone. Lamb does not discuss going out and finding or joining a "hippie colony" or some sort of huge community of people living, working, and socializing exclusively with themselves. I would venture to say that Lamb would feel that such an isolated community would not be a good idea.
Community is the center of Christian and personal growth. Interaction with others when interaction is needed and isolation when isolation is needed helps to lead to mental health. It appears that most individuals do not receive the benefits of having fully formed accountability partnerships that share everything. I just so happen to be lucky enough to have that. However, these were formed at college. Two of these friends are out of the country, and I hurt because of it. One lives hours away (but he's coming over tomorrow for a few days). A few live around Chattanooga and I am energized every time I see them. One, I actually live with and am married to. Wendy I see almost all the time and I believe I would suffocate without this relationship.
Community means that we should form these partnerships and have consistent contact with these individuals. Proper formation of these relationships is important. We have friends that have a foundation in all sorts of ideas or topics: work, school, sex, football, gossiping, current events. It's not wrong to have such based friendships. But a problem for Christians is that such bonds creep into our entire lives. Even "church" focused bonds can be harmful: complaining about church practices, cynicism, etc. We need to strive to form a handful of growth and accountability partisanships right here where we live.
This handful of friends must regularly meet together for worship, and just to hang out. Lamb points out that this community is fragile and can only survive if it retains its focus on God. Your community must love your neighbors (serve them). It must have a specific ministry/focus/purpose.
Lamb uses an example of two teachers in San Fransisco. These two had a desire to minister to poor teenagers. They moved from a well-to-do suburban neighborhood to a poor apartment complex downtown housing mainly Korean immigrants. This is where Lamb's "communal living" takes example. They rented two apartments, moved into one, and set up the second apartment as a community center for the local teenagers. They did a lot of good work there. Two other members at their church noticed what they were doing and decided to move in to the same apartment building and help with the work. At this building, a strong Christian community was formed.
Lambs "communal living" is simply just having a roommate or two that is in your community and specifically working in your ministry. Yet, if you need your privacy, take it. But if you can, take a few roommates.
Ministry is the center of all growth. Ministry is NOT reserved for those of the "cloth" or those who hold an "office". Jesus was once asked what the greatest commandment God gave the Jews. It is to Love God. Jesus then immediately added that next to loving God, we must love each other. Practical translation, trust God and serve others.
It should not matter at all that we are out of college or not working as a paid minister. My father asked me last week what I wanted out of church. My reply was essentially from this book. I need three things, community, growth, and fellowship. We all need these three. The problem is these just don't happen naturally, we have to work at it. And we cannot postpone it saying, I'm going to be a missionary next year so I'll wait, or I need to take a job to get the most money to pay off my student loans so I'll wait.
Lamb's book is a good read and I believe it to be encouraging.
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