Posts from June 2022

What is forgiveness and why is it necessary for community building and sustaining? I really like this definition of forgiveness: …a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you,   regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.1 Such a definition places the burden of forgiveness upon the one bearing the cost of the pain involved. This is what Jesus himself modeled upon the cross. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,…

As we continue to reflect upon Biblical Community this year, we consider another aspect of vibrant community – its ability to incorporate others into the fabric and life of the existing community. Any group of people that is unable to incorporate others will eventually flounder and die out as the members do the same. But what does it mean to incorporate others? To incorporate means to include, enfold or absorb. When a community is able to bring others into the…