Now, let me explain: Ramin and his dad, Hossein, (not their real names) are frequent visitors to our house and we really love them. It was Ramin’s birthday last week; he’d just turned 14 and his Dad asked if we could make him a birthday cake. You see, Hussein can’t cook cake and Ramin’s mum is thousands of miles away and so is his sister. Indeed, it’s Ramin’s first birthday away from home - a young asylum seeker.
Ramin and his dad duly arrived with a friend, as expected. We’d cooked the tea (fish) so let’s begin. What are we waiting for, guys?
But Ramin and Hossein have also invited their friends (7). I fling open the door, “Welcome, welcome! Come and sit down at the table, everyone!” but quietly, I’m wondering, ‘how shall we feed this multitude?’ ‘They do not need to go away. ‘You give them something to eat,’ Jesus says! (Matthew 14: 16)
Josie, Izzie and Jane dash into the kitchen and augment our meagre offering of fish and rice; ‘Our food needs multiplying!’ they joke. ‘What can we find?’
The trio did us proud, really proud. Food kept arriving at the table, all sorts of things I didn’t think we had in our well-stocked pantry ... popcorn, muffins, spicy peas and more ...
Then comes the birthday cake. ‘Will it go round?’ I muse but it does, as Ramin blows the candles out twice over. Yes, we’re all having a great time, I mean a great, great time, not least Ramin and his dad. Then the singing and the bongo playing begins ...
* * *The party’s over now: everyone’s gone home. Some of us sit around the kitchen table, as a community family: “That’s community at its best,” comments Izzie contentedly. Yes, all mucking in, heads and hands working together, it’s amazing what we can do. You see, it’s together we can be family - not just for our house family - but to those God brings – the Ramins and Hosseins of this world.
And the miracle? - not one of physical multiplication this time but perhaps rather the greater miracle: people pulling together, one heart, one soul, those otherwise quite unlike each other, all together, living, working for one cause – in Christian community. Yes, together, together. What a great evening.
Ideally, the local church is the haven for a flourishing spirituality. Below is an outline of my vision for the Christian community (in the wide sense of the word) to which I belong.
1. A 24/7 network of deep/heart friendships – a triangle of love – God, me, my brother/sister. Our relationship with God and our brothers and sisters in this one big God-family is so connected that we cannot say that there is one without the other and possibly the better the ‘vertical flow’, the better the ‘horizontal’ one is also. Love for God is expressed not only in worship, prayer and praise (important as they are) but in love for the Family; indeed this continual flow of love spills out to those outside. Everyone within this flourishing society is caught up in this triangle of love.
2. As this society takes shape, spontaneity grows; people within the group are not too over careful of behaving well in the sight of others and never causing offence; they are relaxed and comfortable together.
3. Stemming from this – members are willing to take risks; it is a safe environment and the network of deep friendships provides a safety net within which to fall. There is a daring ‘to do’ and ‘to do different’ and ‘to do God’s new thing’. Creativity and adventure become hallmarks of this flourishing spirituality. Individuals blossom and this adds colour and spiritual richness to the whole. There is nothing drab or tired about this expression of spirituality.
4. Within this society of flourishing spirituality, no one leader dominates; the people themselves ‘own’ the group; leaders are keen to make themselves semi-dispensable and in times of absence the group can function without them.
5. The task of the leaders is to steer, to free others for ministry and never to ‘force’ growth or control. As skilful growers, they do their best to ensure that conditions are right for ‘the plants’ to flourish; they are unthreatened when others thrive.
6. Leaders are quick to listen to helpful comments or grievances and issues are not left to fester; people are genuinely listened to.
7. Immature leaders and adventurers are allowed to come to the fore and mistakes are covered with love. The whole group carry a willingness to allow the inexperienced to lead, to initiate and to make mistakes.
8. Leadership or frontline gifts are not the only gifts valued; equally valuable to the group are the more modest and hidden gifts and those who express these are honoured.
9. A rich variety of gifts and ministries are expressed; creativity has been allowed to blossom. Gifts don’t have to be perfect before they are appreciated.
10. Inspiration from anyone can be gained and followed, regardless of leadership status, age or gender.
11. Good humour, light heartedness, the ability to smile and laugh at each other without malice are integral marks of the group; joy flows in this triangle of love.
12. Children, old people and people with learning difficulties are valued and included.
13. At times there will be a diversity of opinion; covenant bonds are respected; people are listened to and unless the divergence of opinion is major and affects the well-being of the group, brotherly love and respect without acrimony continues.
14. Worship is relaxed, enjoyed and varied; personal preferences of worship style are laid aside; most importantly the group carries Presence for here, ‘where brothers dwell in unity, God has commanded the blessing ..... (Psalm 133)
15. Deep friendships are always open to others and never cliquey. New people are welcomed and struck by the warmth, outgoing love, unity and friendliness of the group.
16. A flourishing spirituality is outward looking; the group can always see beyond itself, is open to new ideas from outside and yet sure of its own mission and is never blinkered. It can sustain varied and outgoing projects. It is able to change direction if necessary.
17. Where there is a flourishing spirituality, members are proud and unashamed to be part of group. They carry a corporate confidence and the group grows.
And I am sure there is plenty more so do please add comments below!
