Where do you find authentic community?

How do we enjoy Authentic Community?

Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20

In this fragmented and individualistic culture, my suspicion is that the deep longing of a majority of people - whether they know it or not - is to experience authentic community. But, where is this authentic community to be found? As a follower of Christ, I would love to say that this community can only be found in the church, for such is the ideal that is presented in our Scriptures. Too often, however, this is not the case.

What is more often the case, in my limited experience, is that church is a "place" people go because it has become "the thing they do on Sunday morning." They trickle in, find their normal seats amongst others of the same color, listen or watch the show and go home, without uttering more words than the proverbial "good morning" to an usher or the collective "amen." In bigger congregations - the so called mega churches - the sanctuaries are more like movie theaters. You come in and take your seat near the aisle, making sure that you leave several seats between you and the nearest fellow worshipper, without realizing how foreign this mentality is to the historic People of God. My friends, this is not authentic community.

Although I have seen true authentic community take place at St. Matthews, I wish I could see more of it. I say this because I see just as much authentic community taking place at Panera on Dutchmans Lane. A precious lady named Rosemary usually checks me out and gets me a cup of coffee and my normal Blueberry Bagel extra toasted with butter. One day I heard a business man asking Rosemary how her treatments were going and she said, "fine, thank you" and then they chatted a bit. So, when I got to the counter I asked her "what" her story was about. She told me she had breast cancer and was on chemotherapy. She is very gracious for all those who ask about her because she clearly doesn't always feel like coming to work. At Panera, it is clear that people know each other. Most people who come through the door are greeted warmly, not only by the employees but by several patrons. The employee hands them their favorite drink and asks how they are doing, genuinely interested in the answer. There are people of all races, and diverse languages can be heard spoken in adjoining tables. For many, it is like coming home to family. Shouldn't church always be like this?