3D community

Yesterday I spoke in worship about community, in particular, a three dimensional community. On Friday last week Rolling Stone came out with its 1000th issue. The cover was a 3D picture of the rock and roll/Rolling Stone community over the course of 40 years. It was so engaging and interesting that I forked out the $6 and bought the magazine. I haven't regreted it. Inside I've found interesting articles about the history of music and background stories about some of the people who have graced the covers of the magazine. I've even thought that I'd become a subscriber for a year of Rolling Stone.

Why? Why would I consider a subscription? Four reasons...

Engaging cover picture of a community. It is creative.
Engaging content. (See above)
Engages my thinking about culture. While I might disagree with some of the political commentary and viewpoints expressed by the musicians, actors, and writers, it does touch on the common culture that I experience around me and spurs within my thoughts and viewpoints of my own.
Engages my interest. I like music and movies and it's a magazine devoted to the industry.

What about Christ's community. Are we as engaging as a Rolling Stone magazine? Are first impressions by guests good when they enter our communities? Are people as "awed" by our community as I was by the cover of Rolling Stone? Is our content engaging? Are we connect with the culture around us enough so that we can add our voice to the voices speaking about and helping to shape the culture around us? Jesus said, "Be in the world but not of the world." Are we a community that allows people to pursue their passions and interests in a meaningful way as a way of serving the world in Christ's name?

May the Lord continue to shape us to be a community that is engaging, challenging, and graceful in the name of Christ.

Thanks for reading.