I have had the opportunity to see a different kind of community the past week or so, an overtly broken community. There is no hiding it, no pretending, everyone knows everyone issues and they are open about them. I've learned something from this community ... that communities that are broken, can result in healing and health. That a healthy community is a broken community.
As I have thought about this, really every community, group of people, is a broken community ... we all have issues, struggles, etc. Except in most environments we manage these issues behind the scenes, away from the group we are a part of and thus not much healing takes place in these "healthy" communities.
How do we help all of us become more authentic in our brokenness ... to become more trusting and vulnerable in the context of community. When that happens ... the loneliness is gone, the issues don't remain hidden, relationships are forged, and health is created.
A healthy community is a broken community.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
The authenticity and openness tone is set by the leadership of the group.
ReplyDeleteWe ARE all broken and if the leadership is not honest open and vulnerable themselves it does not invite trust. Too, I have stepped out in trust only to be condemned or attacked - setting me even further back on my journey. When you have been wounded by the broken community, you tend to manage things on your own. It's 'safer' there.
ReplyDelete