Small Christian Community Connection

Building churches is a big job and I think a risky one! I recently visited Delhi, India, and was struck by the number and grandeur of the temples, mosques, and other worship sites in the area. As I made my way around the city (with a trusted friend and a driver) and visited temples and mosques I noticed the beauty, attention to detail, sense of history and the amount of workmanship that went into the structures themselves. The architecture, carvings, and the open spaces spoke to me of the holy, the enduring, the illuminating quality of God – in so many forms of worship.

Another type of worship struck me in India. Everywhere we went I noted signs of worship and blessings in the every day lives of the people: a sprinkling of flower petals, a red marking on a forehead, a turban, a garland of flowers strung across a doorway, a small altar-like structure inside a shop – small but important signs of faith and devotion. The very personal touch of the sacred was almost palpable to me.

My work with Buena Vista has been an attempt to help build church and worship spaces in the everyday lives of Catholics in the U.S. today. The churches we build are without physical walls and intricate carvings into marble or stone. But, the churches we build truly are sacred places for worship, faith, community, and service. We help to support, empower, and build small churches of believers; these are communities of people dedicating themselves to keeping the Spirit alive in daily life and in the world. I think those of us who are dedicated to the support and building of small Christian communities are as important as those who build physical structures for worship – or maybe even more important. What good is a physical structure without a community of people? A building without people becomes rundown and eventually turns into a pile of rubble.

Much like those who built large historical worship sites, I believe that we have the tools and knowledge necessary to build strong faith communities. We know that it takes time, energy, dedication, and hard work. I've seen many communities come and go. Some last, others fizzle in their first few months. I polled a group of long-time SCC participants and asked them what factors or characteristics they think are at work in long lasting groups. What follows are the top 10 factors or characteristics. They are listed in order, by frequency of being named as an important factor.

Top 10 characteristics of long lasting Small Christian Communities

1. Shared Vision. Groups who endure are ones who have a shared vision – they know why they are gathering. Members take the time and effort to identify and dedicate themselves to common goals.
2. Good prayer and ritual helps provide a spiritual depth that calls members back again and again. The prayer and ritual in these groups holds a prominent position in the life of the group – they honor the sacred and keep this element in the forefront of their gatherings.
3. Shared work. The work of the group – from facilitating to hosting and providing hospitality is shared in long-standing groups. The work of a group must be shared, it is too much for one or two people to maintain. Also, Ken Blakeman (AZ) notes that, “Having all members facilitate a gathering keeps everyone committed and lets each individual's creativity benefit the group.”
4. Strong relationships, built over time and with care, “provide ballast” to communities who thrive, according to Jim Silva (CA.) Social time, outings, good communication, mutual respect and countless other components and skills help build up this area.
5. FUN! Groups who have fun together tend to continue to want to be together. They come back for more. This one is often overlooked!
6. Evaluate and Review. Groups benefit from regular evaluation and review of expectations. Peter Eichten (MN) suggests “At least twice a year spend a session going over expectations: What do you want/need from this group? Are those wants/needs being met? If they are not, what can we do to meet them? Or, can I shift my expectations and still be actively involved in this group?”
7. Act. Groups who “do something” become bonded together. It acts like a glue and is considered “THE community builder” by Felicia Wolfe (IL). Those familiar with the SCC world will recognize the element “service/social justice” as one of the important ways groups act to do something together. Mary Ann Jeselson (NJ) related that her group does 3 or 4 soup kitchens each year and they collect clothes, blankets, towels and food for Catholic Worker in New York City.
8. Variety. Alternating the format occasionally keeps gatherings fresh. Groups have reported many options for gatherings. Some ideas include review a movie together, have a guest speaker, visit and walk a labyrinth, study a book, try a new faith sharing guide, visit a homeless shelter, write letters to prisoners...
9. Substantial. Groups who engage in true dialog and dare to delve deeply into conversation and spirituality are the ones that call members back again and again. The dialog may be in the form of in-depth sharing of members own experiences, feelings and thoughts OR dialog about matters of faith and justice. The “in-depth” part of the sharing seems to be important. Felicia Wolf (IL) has noted that a group/community is in dialog when “everyone says something in the first 15 minutes of the meeting, when they have the endurance to stay with the hard questions, and when members say, 'I was so tired tonight I did not think I wanted to come, but now I am glad because I have so much energy.'”
10. Light of heart. Finally, groups that endure have a sense of humor. They laugh, allow for differences, and “don't take themselves too seriously” according to Barb Darling (FL).

There were many more suggestions including these:

• “Know that of ourselves we cannot persevere and, if we do so, it is ultimately the work of God.” from Jim O'Halloran (Ireland)
• Groups need alert, sympathetic and challenging leadership
• Diversity helps through the appreciation of individuality, individual creativity, creative differences.

Finally, these warnings came through and serve as reminders:

• “The object is not to have long lasting communities but to have worthwhile communities.” Barb Darling (FL)
• One major obstacles to group progress is unexamined assumptions. These are some assumptions that get in the way:

1. 1. To be successful a SCC has to always be upbeat : Not true!
   2. Conflict is unchristian and always hurtful: There are both helpful and hurtful ways to deal with conflict. All groups who are open and truthful with each other will experience conflict; when conflict is handled carefully and considerately, it is one of the best ways for a group to grow. Do get help if your group is struggling with conflict.
   3. We always have to be doing something to save the world: We have to know God before we can serve God!

As you work toward building, supporting, and maintaining the communities in your own life I encourage you to plan ahead, listen carefully and then allow the Spirit to do her magic! The touch of God is, as mentioned, the most important element of all.