The New Young Christian is a vanguard of fearless "captains" that carry the vision, inspire others around them and pioneer the future. We're introducing one of our fearless leaders today, Jordan Brokaw, as he talks about the power of authentic relationships.
Community isn't cool. Many churches use this hip word "community" as a synonym for that time of the week where you hangout in a living room and talk about your week or where you go to brunch with others after church on Sunday's and regale each other with thoughts about the sermon. I'm not saying those things are bad...but that isn't the community I'm talking about.
Community is picking someone up from the airport at 12 am when you have to be up for work at 5am. Community is holding someone's juice and snot covered infant so they can eat with both hands. Community is crying with your friend crumpled on the floor who is hurt so badly that they need to be picked up from a pool of blood and tears on the floor. Community is knowing when you're car breaks down you have a ride.
“Community can’t exist without vulnerability...honest, gritty and uncomfortable vulnerability. ”
Community can't be a buzz word but instead community must be inconvenient, susceptible, and messy. The community I'm talking about isn't standing near someone while they stand in their mess but community is standing with them deeply in the mess and letting them know it doesn't matter because their mess is your mess.
Community can't exist without vulnerability. Honest, gritty and uncomfortable vulnerability. Its opening up your life to another despite how you feel, where you are or how you are. True community is like family. You may not like them or agree with them but they're family and nothing changes that. We're in this together despite circumstances and I will be with you to the end.
The church in Acts speaks of a community that shared everything, so no one was lacking or in need. Paul, in Colossians says,
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,[a] who is a faithful minister of Christ on our[b]behalf... Colossians 1:3-7
Colossians speaks of a group of people whose faith in Christ and love for one another was renowned because of their faith and their love for one another. They are choosing to live out the gospel together...that it was changes the world.
Small groups won't change the world. But our steadfast commitment to the Gospel as our motive and loving each other as our bond will.
Jordan Brokaw is passionate about Jesus, sailing, travel and helping others. BTL>MSP>DET @jordanrbrokaw