Faith Meets Life: Belonging in a world of choice
Homer Simpson prays, “Lord, on this Thanksgiving day, we are grateful that we can take another crack at family togetherness.”
His church is one of millions. Great numbers of Christian communities continue to thrive. In London the number of churches is in the order of two to three hundred. The number of churches dwarfs the number of many other groups and institutions like say, Rotary Clubs, minor sports leagues, schools, gay lesbian bi-sexual trans-gendered associations, Freemasons, sports bars, dance clubs and military centres.
London is crawling with clergy-professional Christian leaders. And they are assisted by legions of dedicated volunteers. Ditto for Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, White Horse and Fort McMurray. London is home to four academic institutions that provide university and graduate level training for emerging leaders of Christian communities. At the same time, there are a number of student and youth movements loosely connected with the church. They have a strong sense of service and mission and are active on London's post-secondary campuses.
What keeps all these aspiring leaders, volunteers and clergy, not to mention the gazillion ordinary Christians - what keeps them committed to their churches? I may have peremptorily answered my own question. But I think the answer goes a lot deeper than the ability of the church to generate leaders.
Three reasons for the ongoing life of churches come to mind. They are belonging, hope, and redemption.
Consider belonging. Most of us, on several levels, desire to belong. Our families of origin may not have been welcoming places to start life. Some look for a community to welcome them at pubs and bars. Some of us try for visible achievements in study, teaching, administration, sports or entertainment. An award or trophy in the living room can give us a sense of belonging.
Belonging in a church community is similar, but also different. Belonging in a church community in the fuller sense begins at birth and continues through the end of life.
This should not be misunderstood as the kind of bond that one can find in a cult. Cults are marked by strong instruments of control and sometimes that instrument is a charismatic, controlling leader. Nor should the kind of belonging I am thinking of be misconstrued as the kind of bond that must be enforced by civil laws and external means of control, whereby, say, it would be illegal to leave the community.
Belonging in a church typically involves people caring for each other in every situation. There are no merit points to earn, no race qualifications, no economic standards to meet. This experience of caring for the other usually creates a strong sense of belonging for Christian believers that are not easily broken.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
His church is one of millions. Great numbers of Christian communities continue to thrive. In London the number of churches is in the order of two to three hundred. The number of churches dwarfs the number of many other groups and institutions like say, Rotary Clubs, minor sports leagues, schools, gay lesbian bi-sexual trans-gendered associations, Freemasons, sports bars, dance clubs and military centres.
London is crawling with clergy-professional Christian leaders. And they are assisted by legions of dedicated volunteers. Ditto for Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, White Horse and Fort McMurray. London is home to four academic institutions that provide university and graduate level training for emerging leaders of Christian communities. At the same time, there are a number of student and youth movements loosely connected with the church. They have a strong sense of service and mission and are active on London's post-secondary campuses.
What keeps all these aspiring leaders, volunteers and clergy, not to mention the gazillion ordinary Christians - what keeps them committed to their churches? I may have peremptorily answered my own question. But I think the answer goes a lot deeper than the ability of the church to generate leaders.
Three reasons for the ongoing life of churches come to mind. They are belonging, hope, and redemption.
Consider belonging. Most of us, on several levels, desire to belong. Our families of origin may not have been welcoming places to start life. Some look for a community to welcome them at pubs and bars. Some of us try for visible achievements in study, teaching, administration, sports or entertainment. An award or trophy in the living room can give us a sense of belonging.
Belonging in a church community is similar, but also different. Belonging in a church community in the fuller sense begins at birth and continues through the end of life.
This should not be misunderstood as the kind of bond that one can find in a cult. Cults are marked by strong instruments of control and sometimes that instrument is a charismatic, controlling leader. Nor should the kind of belonging I am thinking of be misconstrued as the kind of bond that must be enforced by civil laws and external means of control, whereby, say, it would be illegal to leave the community.
Belonging in a church typically involves people caring for each other in every situation. There are no merit points to earn, no race qualifications, no economic standards to meet. This experience of caring for the other usually creates a strong sense of belonging for Christian believers that are not easily broken.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
