“Transformation has to do with the way the walls separating us from others and from our deepest self begin to disappear. Between all of us fragile human beings stand walls built on loneliness and the absence of God, walls built on fear – fear that becomes depression or a compulsion to prove that we are special”
-Jean Vanier, “The Fragility of L’Arche and the Friendship of God.”
“We all carry a deep wound – the wound of our loneliness. That is why we find it hard to be along, and we try to heal our aloneness by joining a community. But to belong for the sake of beloning cannot help but lead to disappointment. We must realize, as Jean [Vanier] says, that ‘this wound is inherent in the human condition and that what we have to do is walk with it instead of fleeing from it. We cannot accept it until we discover that we are loved by God just as we are, and that the Holy Spirit, in a mysterious way, is living at the centre of the would.’”
-Stanley Hauerwas, “The Politics of Gentleness.”
Hauerwas, Stanley and Jean Vanier. Living Gently in a Violent World: The Prophetic Witness of Weakness (Resources for Reconciliation; Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008).
Hi there,
It’s been well over a year since we’ve chatted. First of all, thank you for posting the Hauerwas quote. I’ve been reading and thinking quite a bit lately about the necessity of community for Christian formation and mission, as well as regarding the “care and cure of souls” (e.g. Larry Crabb, Connecting). Neither community nor belonging must become an end in itself. Stan’s on the money.
On a different note, i’m halfway through my MDiv at TEDS, and trying to discern what ministry the Lord is preparing me for, post-graduation. I grew up United Methodist, became a fairly devout Southern Baptist for several years (including attending an SB university), moved to Chicagoland and have attended Harvest Bible Chapel for the last 2 years. I’m certain that the “Bible church” (read: non-integrationist) world is not one in which i can effectively minister. At the same time, i’m also wanting a greater connectedness with more historic roots of the Christian faith, and think Anglicanism may be the best route for that.
Anyway, i noticed you had Church of the Redeemer linked, and wanted to mention that i should be visiting there this Sunday (hopefully with my wife and daughter). If you’re there, perhaps we’ll bump into each other.
Blessings,
matt