Authentic Spiritual Community
Station 5 of our 10-month 2HC cohort is focused on the theme of “authentic spiritual community.” We’ve heard honest sharing from mission workers who are struggling to find authentic, meaningful community during ministry and life transitions. We’ve also heard examples of enduring, supportive spiritual friendships. Jeff, a current 2HC cohort member, shares his experience of a ten-year friendship among six men that has become a safe and transformative place.
by Jeff Johnson
I have experienced what I believe to be authentic spiritual community in a group with five other men. At various times we have been work colleagues. Although this group started as a men’s book group, it has evolved into a deeper friendship. We now focus on our roles as leaders, husbands, fathers and in a few cases, grandfathers.
We have continued to meet regularly over the past ten years, face-to-face and virtually. This community has blessed me! Below I share a few reasons why this community is so transformative.
For me, authentic spiritual community is non-competitive, modeled by the honoring of the other within the Trinity
There is no self-promotion in our community because we look out for the interests of the others, promoting and encouraging one another. I don’t have to “promote” myself since the others are promoting me, which frees me to promote them – “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:4).
We seek practically to work out and live out the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:5). We practice “clothing” ourselves with compassion, kindness, and humility, thus bearing each other’s burdens (Colossians 3:12-14).
Our small community recently has been shaped by reflections, study and focus on the Trinity. The emptying of the Father into the Son and back through the Holy Spirit is a divine dance of mutual love and encouragement, each member pouring themselves out into the other. Our egos are emptied as we focus on the best for the other. “In humility, value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
Authentic spiritual community is like coming home to a safe place where I can grow and relax
Authentic spiritual community is safe and transformative. I have grown much over the years as the six of us have journeyed through life together. In this community I am known, heard, and accepted. In this community I can reveal my true face and know I will be accepted and loved. In many ways I have experienced it as “coming home,” a place where I can relax and where peace and joy are present. It feels “right” and good. A place where my brothers encourage and challenge me to grow in my being and my doing.
Our small community is a safe place where I experience deep friendship, and where I regain hope and am empowered to engage with the world in renewed energy and purpose.
It is a joy and blessing to be a part of this community.
