Communitas: Preparing for a New Semester

Monday, November 24, 2008

Preparing for a New Semester

Thanksgiving is approaching, and after Thanksgiving, our students have one week before finals begin. We anticipate meaningful ministry between now and the end of this semester. At the same time, we are beginning to shift gears and prepare for the next semester. We will be taking our leaders on a leadership retreat January 8-10. In between that time, our staff will be meeting, praying and planning for another great semester.

Please join us in praying for the students at UTSA. God has given us great favor with many this semester. Next semester we are praying that our students will continue to grow in Christ and repdroduce themselves in the lives of many. Please join us in praying for our leaders and for our students as well as our staff and me.

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Why Communitas?

Communitas is a word and concept I learned from reading Alan Hirsch's wonderful book: "The Forgotten Ways."

Hirsch seeks to rediscover what he calls the original "Apostolic Genius" that was a part of the early church's spiritual DNA. The early church was highly missional and grew from approximately 25,000 followers to 25 million in a short period of time. One of the core elements Hirsch fleshes out is that of "Communitas."

Hirsch writes: "Communitas not Community: The most vigorous forms of community are those that come together in the context of a shared ordeal or, communities who define themselves as a group with a mission that lies beyond themselves—thus initiating a risky journey. Over-concern with safety and security, combined with comfort and convenience, have lulled us out of our true calling and purpose. Everyone loves an adventure. Or do we?"

I pray this journal in some way stimulates our desire for authentic communitas within our families, churches and faith communities. Following Christ is and should be anything but safe and comfortable!