SOCIAL CAPITAL

THOUGHT:

According to Cohen and Prusak, in their book In Good Company. How social capital makes organizations work (2001):

"Social capital consists of the stock of active connections among people: the trust, mutual understanding, and shared values and behaviors that bind the members of human networks and communities and make cooperative action possible. "

Hmm...reminds me of that early investment made by the first disciples:

WORD:

"Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold." Acts 4: 32-34

DEED:

"There was not a needy person among them...?!?...no one claimed private ownership ?!?"

In the immortal word of the little guy with the brains in Princess Bride, "Inconceivable!"

Or perhaps, it's so rich...so what we really long for...can i be one of those?...one who willingly invests all that she claims to own privately- her time, her love, her stuff - in a fabric so fine, a world so want-free, this social capital of the saints? Dare i become...a true disciple of the Christ?

VOLUNTEER TOGETHER

What if we were to create "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" clubs, invite all the people on our block or in our building and, once a month, organize and execute group volunteer projects?

For example, once a month we could volunteer to serve at a local soup kitchen. or spend the morning on the local Habitat For Humanity project? We could even take a walk together and clean up our section of the reservoir. Nothing like a nice walk to spark conversation...

God's Word, Not Ours

Do you think it would be possible to open our homes for weekly neighborhood prayer gatherings that are not restricted to "CHRISTIANS ONLY?" Can we or should we as followers of Jesus open our homes and our hearts to those who do not yet hear his voice?

And what if, instead of a pre-packaged study of God's Word, we chose to allow the Word to speak for itself through experiences like Lectio Divina?

The Challenge: Do we really believe that God is big enough to reveal himself to our neighbors through our open, loving lives or is it more important that our neighbors see the "edited" versions of ourselves so that they will be converted to look like us?

Re-Imaging the Community

It seems there are always WAY too many great classes being offered in my area. I am often frustrated when i see some offering that looks so appealing, only to discover it's at a time or day of the week that's simply not "do-able" for me. So, i've decided to let you in on what i discover hoping that, even though i can't take advantage of the growth opportunities, maybe one of you could!

The Servant Leadership School in DC is offering a Spring class called "Re-Imaging the Community & the People in it." Isn't that a great title? Here's the blurb from the catalogue:

When we respond to Jesus' invitation to follow him, we embark on a journey that challenges the cultural assumptions upon which we have based our lives. We soon discern that Jesus' ways are not our ways. We cannot learn to truly love our neighbors, or follow Jesus, unless we grow aware of the inner and outer area of resistance that prevent us from crossing the barriers that separate us.

This class will consist primarily of field trips to "re-image" our community, taking an asset-based approach to the issues and people of lower-income D.C. neighborhoods. Participants will be introduced to people, programs, viewpoints, and neighborhoods that defy the current negative stereotypes. We will explore the good news within the city and witness inspirational stories of strength, courage, and leadership in inner-city neighborhoods. Taught by Jim Dickerson and Jim Melson on Tuesdays, April 15 - June3, 4:30-6:00 p.m.

OK: So, some of you have responded, "Book Club? Who reads?"

After the initial shock of such outlandish articulation, i got thinking, well, if not books, how about movies? Perhaps one night a month your neighborhood movie club could choose a movie to view (together or separately) and then take turns hosting a discussion about it. Hey, why not start with one of the movies used in the "God in the Movies" series done at Cedar Ridge each fall?

(who reads?! mumble, mumble...)

I went to my first Neighborhood Book Club meeting tonight. It was great! I met some very friendly people who gave me an excuse to read a book i would have otherwise overlooked on the library shelf: Seraph on the Suwanee by Zora Neale Hurston. Next month's book choice is Bush at War by Bob Woodward: that should be an interesting meeting (plan to bring sleeping bags, ladies!).

Moving to Maryland has forced me to reach out of the comfort zone of church family and into my geographical neighborhood for community. I've been reticent...reluctant...in fact, downright resistant. Why are we so afraid to cross that great threshold? It's not like we haven't been wounded inside the walls of the church.  

Seraph on the Suwanee

Bush at War