|
A meaningful community is one where individuals are connected with each other, and everyone is supported. In a true community there is sharing of responsibilities, and a communal spirit that commits to the adage. “when one of us succeeds, we all succeed.” Community is often sought when an individual goes to church . The fellowship between believers, the activities shared, and the common goal of growing in a faith are things valued by most churches.
M. Scott Peck took this thought even further when he said that one reason the early Christian church was so successful was because a true caring community was set up by these zealous believers. The early church cared for the poor, provided for the widows, and selected wise men to administer to the needs of the people. This was a truly successful community. Many keys to creating community in the modern world can be taken from the practices of this group. The acceptance, common goals, commitment to the organization, and the love shared by these early people give us a paradigm to emulate. Their sense of community can be reproduced through effort, prayer, and strong group dynamics.
Phillip McGraw, in his book, Life Strategies, states that humans need to be accepted. So much so, this is a top value for a majority of the population. The number one fear for most people, is the fear of rejection. Considering this, it is important that a community offer acceptance and inclusion to its members. Whether the community is a church, a school board, or a corporation staff the needs are the same. People want to feel a part of the crowd, rather than exist as fringe dwellers. This state of inclusion should be a top priority for an organization. If people feel they belong there will be less dissension less jealousy, and a greater sense of support for the whole. All these are important aspects of a caring community.
A common goal is not a sterile mission statement that all members must accept and memorize. Common goals should be fluid and continually discussed. If the goal no longer meets the needs of the group, it should be revised. That does not mean that integrity is abandoned to mob mentality. It means that all suggestions are taken seriously. New ideas are considered, and people feel like part of the solution. Many companies give lip service to these ideas, but the follow through is negligible. When trust is broken the input decreases. Conflict rises to higher levels of resentment, dissension, and irreconcilable differences. Conflict is endemic to any group, but how it is dealt with will determine how the sense of community develops or disappears. Encouraging continual input on the goals, and exploring the suggestions of all members will build the morale and investment of any group of people.
Employees of large organizations do not feel the kind of commitment they once did. At one time the company was seen as a parent to the employee. The corporation was there for the worker. It managed company outings, benefits, and retirement. An employee felt taken care of, and watched over for the 30 plus years of employment. Today’s workforce has a different attitude. The approach is more toward developing skills, padding a resume, and moving on to where the money is. Unions, corporate downsizing, and continual shifts in employment trends have made the world of work a hostile territory. The true victim in this battle is the loss of community. A sense of commitment is missing, not only in companies, but in churches and schools. There are so many options when people run into conflict the natural reaction is to flee and move onto the next company, church, or school.
Commitment comes with trust and respect. This must be fostered for all members. If people believe they are accepted and have input into the goal process, they will respond with commitment. This is achieved through letting people know they will not be dropped for one mistake. Once again if people are supported and encouraged to get involved they will be supportive and loyal to the cause.
Teaching people to love one another is not an easy task. But there are ways to support loving behavior. People need to understand their emotions. Phillip McGraw talks about the power of forgiveness in his book. He states that if an individual holds onto hate, anger, and resentment, he will be unable to love other people. Our emotions do not turn on and off like a faucet, therefore if people have these negative emotions in their heart, these emotions are transferred into all their relationships. In this way hate, anger, and resentment are contagious. Within a group, one antagonist can create a virtual epidemic of negativity. Teaching people to let go of past wrongs is essential to building community. Perhaps that is why early Christians had such great success; they subscribed to a philosophy of forgiveness and this became pervasive throughout their ranks.
The philosophical exploration of community is helpful, but how does one actually create community. I believe it begins with the effort of one person. One person makes the decision to create community within a group of people. It does not need to be a formal community. It can be a group of friends, employees, or some people who eat lunch together. Community begins when someone makes the effort to organize the outings, emphasize common ground, and encourage involvement. It is the commitment to listening and supporting people. This effort will be met with support and encouragement from the proposed members. Maybe not all of them, but enough will catch on and join the effort. It is a process of modeling behavior for strong human relationships. The builder of a community must be genuine, ready to apologize, concerned about the feelings and welfare of all members. It is of vital importance that all have that longed for sense of acceptance. This is where the spark begins, and the meaningful caring community grows.
|
| |
