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It’s coming...He’s building it

jeff in el salvadorI know it’s coming. Soon. I saw its baby footprints on Sunday.

God is building it. A new community.

As of last Sunday afternoon we are just a disjointed group, looking around to see who else shows up at the information meeting.

But by mid-July, I pray we’ll be a tight-knit ekklesia. The “called-out ones.” A church within the church.

The call is back to El Salvador. I hear it for me. Who else is hearing it, too?

How does God do itform a community of one to live and love and breathe togetherout of a misshapen group of sinners? Over and over? In many places, in many ways?

His call, the pull of koinoniacommunion by intimate participation—draws us in. Communion with Him leads to communion with others.

As we scrunch in tighter at the foot of the cross, 
we rub shoulders.

Community can form in many places. Maybe you’ve felt it in a gym every Saturday morning watching your kids play ball. Or with a group of friends sharing weekly coffee together.

But hopefully, you’ve felt it deepest with a church, a gathering of believers with one main thing in common. One Person big enough to push differences aside.

el salvador school kidsWhat will our “Mission to El Salvador” community have in common? A love to share Jesus. To show what we’ve seen. To grow and learn and connect with other believers. To help call others into community with Him. 

I can’t explain how God does it, but I know He does—He takes a group of individuals and turns them into a group of one. I pray He creates one out of our many.

And that our many will always look up to our One.

the church in el salvador

* * *

When have you known community? Where do you have it now?

Comments (24)

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nice...el salvador is a great place...and i am excited for you to hear that call...and even more so to follow it...
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1 reply · active 675 weeks ago
Thanks, Brian. It's stepping out of my comfort zone again, another venture for me...with others, with Him. Grateful we don't go it alone.
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i love that you are doing this, friend, that you are reaching out this way... bless you, dear lisa. please stay in touch... love, e.
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1 reply · active 675 weeks ago
And may God bless you, Emily, as you reach out to the boys who need you. Your courage inspires us. I will stay listening to your story.
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ed cyzewski · 675 weeks ago

A common mission can do so much to build Christian community. It takes our eyes off of our differences and focuses us on what God wants us to do. While it's still possible to lose focus on God and to fight for our own ways, putting ourselves in positions where we need to depend on God can serve as an effective cure!
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1 reply · active 675 weeks ago
Exactly, Ed. I recently read "The Faith of Leap" which stressed that very point--that community thrives on mission. When we're all pulling together for a common way to glorify the Father, we live like family.
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And it takes courage to step out and be vulnerable with other believers. Great post.
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1 reply · active 675 weeks ago
It does take courage, Nikki. I don't always have it...but I want more of it.
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Great post Lisa! I will be praying for you as you go. God breaths whispers in our hearts that do create community!
1 reply · active 675 weeks ago
Thank you for our prayers, Katie. That's the only way this trip can fly.
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I can't imagine going through life without community. God designed us for relationships and He never intended for us to go through life alone. That being said, community is only as valuable as you make it. If you are unwilling to share yourself and allow others to share themselves you will not experience all the blessings of community.
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1 reply · active 675 weeks ago
I agree with you on both counts, Kevin. God did create us with that need for connection. And we do need to be open enough to let it happen. When it does, it's well worth it the energy and risk we put into it.
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perfect post! and ekklesia and koinonia are two of my favorite greek words!
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1 reply · active 675 weeks ago
They are two of my favorite Greek words too. We recently saw a church building with only "Ekklesia" on its sign. Great name. :-)
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What a beautiful post! I love it. We are in the beginning place of a new community ourselves. Love seeing how God works through Ekklesia, :D
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1 reply · active 675 weeks ago
May the Lord bless your new community!
My recent post It’s coming...He’s building it
Scrunching in tighter and rubbing shoulders at the foot of the cross...love that image and will ponder it as our community has joined two congregations into one in our old church. Praying for GOD's work in El Salvador!
wouldn't it be neat to be a fly on the wall of the Universe and to look out and see God peering down on your community... and smiling..."and God saw that it was GOOD.." - many coming together to become one, for the glory of ONE. rah.
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This statement caught me: "But hopefully, you’ve felt it deepest with a church, a gathering of believers with one main thing in common. One Person big enough to push differences aside." It's only when my faith began to truly grow that I saw how a community of believers can become the closest family. And sometimes I feel... perhaps bad for not feeling as close to non-believers, but then I think of those verses that show this special connection of one believer to another, like Galatians 6:10.

We are to show His love to all, but, like you said, there's something very Special in common among believers.

I've prayed right now for your next trip to El Salvador, Lisa!
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Good luck one person can do a lot one thing at a time.
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Good luck with your trip to El Salvador. All it takes is One person with the courage to reach out on His behalf. God Bless You in your journey.
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1 reply · active 674 weeks ago
I definitely will. I meant to bookmark that a week ago and forgot so I'm glad to see the reminder here. Thanks.
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