On August 14, 2000, I stepped onto the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. With a tinge of anxiety and few friends, I began my percussion performance studies as an eager and enthusiastic music lover from small-town Nebraska.
So what does one do, exactly, with a music performance degree?
Good question.
My passion for music was undeniable. The creativity and desire ran through my bones with vibrant energy. But would I grow up to be a professional musician, say in an orchestra? Would I be an educational teacher and performer on the side? Would any of this matter?
Believe it or not, some phenomenal musicians get paid handsomely to play in professional performance groups worldwide. Far more people, however, volunteer to participate in community bands and orchestras.
For many of these unpaid volunteers, rehearsals and performances are the highlight of their week. They allow them to connect with like-minded yet diverse individuals and create lasting memories.
There’s a powerful metaphor at work here. Most of the communities we will live in will consist of unpaid volunteers who use their skills and generosity to accomplish lasting outcomes that benefit each other and society.
This is precisely how a community works.
We begin to see patterns when we consider how God has shaped and guided communities from the earliest times of humankind to the present day. His people and Jesus’ ministry illustrate powerful principles that we can put into practice, starting right where we are.
A quick scan through Webster’s Dictionary provides several terms for community, such as:
We see community in everyday places such as volunteer organizations, grassroots neighborhood initiatives, fundraising opportunities, sports leagues, and performing arts. But aside from simple dictionary bullet points, what foundational attributes make for a healthy community?
Common foundations that are seen throughout time within thriving communities include:
Strong Social Connections: Members feel a sense of belonging and are actively engaged with one another through high levels of participation among members.
Inclusive and Equitable Practices: All members have equal access to resources and opportunities. They embrace cultural, economic, and social diversity and actively work to reduce disparities.
Purpose and Shared Values: A clear and consistent sense of purpose that guides actions and decisions. Effectiveness and cohesion are attained because the mission is clear and focused.
Resilience and Adaptability: The group can respond to and recover from challenges and changes. They manage crises effectively and are flexible in adapting to new circumstances. Because of this, they are equipped to handle stress and maintain stability in the face of adversity.
While this is an incomplete list, it sets the foundation for how groups, big and small, maintain strong connections and effectiveness regardless of their location or context.
Although group dynamics are important, what makes these spaces, which we all inhabit in one way or another, effective at the individual level? And what’s driving the success or fracture over time?
Apart from physical sustenance, human survival depends on three basic needs: Love, Safety, and Belonging. When any of these three factors are missing, negative effects begin to surface at the individual and communal levels.
The most misunderstood of these might be belonging.
From a young age, most of us tried to 'fit in' in our social groups, recess on the playground, and teenage hangouts. Maybe you still feel like you’re trying to fit in socially and at work.
But there’s a big difference between fitting in and belonging.
In his book, Belonging: The Science of Creating Connections and Bridging Divides, author Geoffrey Cohen says this:
“Belonging is when we feel like we matter to the group and the group matters to us. And we also feel like we can be our authentic selves there. So, we feel like our authentic self is welcomed. And that's what belonging is.”
Social researcher and author Brené Brown gives a clear distinction as well. She says,
“Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to become in order to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.”
If we expect our communities to be healthy and effective, we must demand a new sense of belonging from every member rather than fitting in. We must each show up fully as ourselves, bringing unique gifts and talents to the group to accomplish dreams beyond our imagination.
So, how does all this talk of belonging, community, and behavior relate to our walk with Jesus?
In Part II, we’ll explore two distinct forms of community from the Bible: a wandering group of disgruntled people who put belonging into action and a powerful lesson from Jesus on how community and ministry work together in a surprising way.
As you reflect on your own life and community, take a few moments to sit with these questions and see what comes up:
Ben,
So glad to see you are doing well. Love your comments. It’s true to be oneself is huge.
Jo and I live in Central City NE. I am retired living in my hometown.
Reach out to me anytime.