What is it that constitutes community? Is it geographic proximity or like-mindedness? Is it a common goal or a shared experience? How do we engage busy people in such a way that they want to be a part of what we do? It amazes me how many organizations struggle with those very questions. I just came from a Chamber of Commerce meeting and they, like the Church, constantly struggle with defining community. Like the church, the Chamber can have an abundance of members (and doesn’t that look good on the roles?) who never engage; only a fraction are active members. Only a small percentage of members (in many organizations) will give their time to the cause. Several might be willing to donate money or merchandise…but not their time. For all of us, time is a precious commodity. We have the potential of earning an undefined amount of money on any given day, but there are only 1440 minutes in anyone’s day...regardless of who they are. And as with any limited commodity, we hope to invest our time rather than simply spend it. That is, for some, the greatest commonality the local Church has with many businesses in their community. Ironically, the difference between the Church and any business is also time…the Church deals with eternity.
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