For discussion: Deepening community

Questions for reflecting on and discussing the feature article, Deepening community, June 9, 2014 issue 

June 4, 2014 | Feature
By Barb Draper |

1. What are some examples of things you do to support others in your family, congregation, team or club? In what situations have you received support from others? In what groups do you feel a strong sense of belonging? Have Mennonite congregations tended to take the importance of community for granted?

2. Why do some people feel ambivalent about community? According to Paul Born, what are the positive aspects of belonging to a community? Are there also negatives? What are the challenges of trying to strengthen a sense of community where people don’t feel connected to each other? What is the relationship between a strong community and strong faith?

3. Are solid community bonds important to your congregation? How much time do people spend together outside of worship time? Do some people feel stronger bonds to other groups? Why might that be? How could your congregation specifically work at strengthening community?

4. Born says that we need to invest in strong relationships and communities so that they “will provide us with the joy and security we need.” Do you agree? How did our parents and grandparents invest in community? How can we help our children do so?

--Posted June 4, 2014

See also the editorial, Community at its best.

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