This word -

community - that we throw around (sometimes cavalierly) is, in practice, pretty tough. Part of what Jesus was teaching his twelve disciples by calling them to join an itinerant ministry for three years was that they would have nothing to depend on - stable jobs, comfortable homes, or guaranteed meals - but each other.

Collectively, they would have to call on God and wait for him to answer, with no other options. Can you imagine them clutching each other in fear as they were out on that boat with the waves violently crashing against them, and just hoping that Jesus would show up?

Community demands vulnerability when independence would otherwise excuse it. They would

have to be vulnerable in front of each other. And at the end of it all, Jesus tells them that how they love each other is how the world will know that they are his disciples. They leave their families and get a new one.

It wasn't easy for these guys. But Jesus was building a church, and one that would stand up against the gates of hell would need to be tested. What better way to test a bond than crisis situations: a storm, 5000 hungry people, or your teacher dying?

Brokenness is a necessary part of the process to become a community, a true band of brothers. That's why we see them arguing for seats of honor or for who will be the greatest in the kingdom. A transition from governing oneself to submitting to each other is stressful!

Although, just as it was "not good for man to be alone" in the Garden of Eden, it is not good for us to go through life without someone to share our burdens and encourage us. The World Race teaches community - doing life together - to its participants, both the good and especially, the hard.

But I have no doubt that they will come out of this experience with a better understanding of what church is really supposed to be and why we need each other. Watch this short video that one of our media team members made awhile back, when the teams were still in Latin America. It's awesome what these guys are learning.

Tell me, what's
your experience with community?