Does Christian fellowship / community mean that we must all live, sleep, work, and eat together 24/7?

[sccs]

When I was in college, I was part of a vibrant college ministry. Many of its members used to live in the same dorm and we had times of fellowship, breaking bread, praying for each other, doing homework, laughing, joking, and just living life together. We invited non-believers in to our group to share in our community while modeling what Christ's love and body looked like. It was sweet and glorious.

Upon graduation, we spread across the country and found ourselves disillusioned with what we envisioned the early Church to have looked like (Acts 2:42-47) and what typical American culture looks like. As adults, people have their own families and kids, live in their apartments or houses, live far away from each other, and only see each other once or twice a week (church service and small group).

There are some folks whom I know that are talking about buying some houses all next to each other so they can relive the glory days of college where we can all be neighbors, and fellowship together because that is what the early Church looked like. And if that is not possible, then maybe we can all spend extended times at each other's places (rotation of week-long or month-long stays with each other at various houses scattered throughout).

Does Christian fellowship / community mean that we must all live, sleep, work, and eat together 24/7? What exactly is the model of Christian community and how does it play into American culture? I'm aware that other cultures in Africa or Asia are much more communal and life is lived much more socially than individually. The phrase "It takes a village to raise a child" is most apt when lived out in those areas than it is in America where it seems like everyone is much more isolated and wants to do their own thing and not have to have yet another thing on an already busy schedule.

So, which is it? Should we all live on a commune together or is it possible to live separated lives while also modeling Christian community?

 

[d taylor]

-​

It would be very hard as most people have their own beliefs. Some may be able to do this, but the risk of arguments breaking out would be a high possibility.

 

[HTacianas]

When I was in college, I was part of a vibrant college ministry. Many of its members used to live in the same dorm and we had times of fellowship, breaking bread, praying for each other, doing homework, laughing, joking, and just living life together. We invited non-believers in to our group to share in our community while modeling what Christ's love and body looked like. It was sweet and glorious.

Upon graduation, we spread across the country and found ourselves disillusioned with what we envisioned the early Church to have looked like (Acts 2:42-47) and what typical American culture looks like. As adults, people have their own families and kids, live in their apartments or houses, live far away from each other, and only see each other once or twice a week (church service and small group).

There are some folks whom I know that are talking about buying some houses all next to each other so they can relive the glory days of college where we can all be neighbors, and fellowship together because that is what the early Church looked like. And if that is not possible, then maybe we can all spend extended times at each other's places (rotation of week-long or month-long stays with each other at various houses scattered throughout).

Does Christian fellowship / community mean that we must all live, sleep, work, and eat together 24/7? What exactly is the model of Christian community and how does it play into American culture? I'm aware that other cultures in Africa or Asia are much more communal and life is lived much more socially than individually. The phrase "It takes a village to raise a child" is most apt when lived out in those areas than it is in America where it seems like everyone is much more isolated and wants to do their own thing and not have to have yet another thing on an already busy schedule.

So, which is it? Should we all live on a commune together or is it possible to live separated lives while also modeling Christian community?

 

[HTacianas]

Christian communal living still exists. But it exists in monasteries. Monks live "Acts-type" lives where all of their property is shared among the group. Monastic life is not for everyone. But the good news is that Christian communal life described in the new testament eventually gave way to Christian charity. Christian charity has it that we all share with our neighbor as we are able even though we are not living a communal life.

 

[Carl Emerson]

When I was in college, I was part of a vibrant college ministry. Many of its members used to live in the same dorm and we had times of fellowship, breaking bread, praying for each other, doing homework, laughing, joking, and just living life together. We invited non-believers in to our group to share in our community while modeling what Christ's love and body looked like. It was sweet and glorious.

Upon graduation, we spread across the country and found ourselves disillusioned with what we envisioned the early Church to have looked like (Acts 2:42-47) and what typical American culture looks like. As adults, people have their own families and kids, live in their apartments or houses, live far away from each other, and only see each other once or twice a week (church service and small group).

There are some folks whom I know that are talking about buying some houses all next to each other so they can relive the glory days of college where we can all be neighbors, and fellowship together because that is what the early Church looked like. And if that is not possible, then maybe we can all spend extended times at each other's places (rotation of week-long or month-long stays with each other at various houses scattered throughout).

Does Christian fellowship / community mean that we must all live, sleep, work, and eat together 24/7? What exactly is the model of Christian community and how does it play into American culture? I'm aware that other cultures in Africa or Asia are much more communal and life is lived much more socially than individually. The phrase "It takes a village to raise a child" is most apt when lived out in those areas than it is in America where it seems like everyone is much more isolated and wants to do their own thing and not have to have yet another thing on an already busy schedule.

So, which is it? Should we all live on a commune together or is it possible to live separated lives while also modeling Christian community?

Nice that you have tasted this forgotten aspect of Christian life.

The Jewish way that continues from ancient times is to be walking distance from each other.

We are meant to relate in unity visible to the World according to John 17.

This is in fact meant to be central to our evangelism.

Why is this not happening?

Because there is a a cost - relating at distance is too easy.

It might mean sharing resources and that is a no go zone.

Early Acts is brushed off as being descriptive rather than prescriptive because folks prefer selfish separate lifestyles.

It seems only persecution is likely to bring this about... Sad...

 

[RileyG]

No. It means we worship together and love one another. Other than monastic communities, Christians do not typically live together 24/7.

 

[JesseRaymondBassett]

I feel it depends on the individual. Some are meant more for solitude then gathering with others. Some are more social creatures. It just depends on the person and the situations involved.

 

[Aussie Pete]

When I was in college, I was part of a vibrant college ministry. Many of its members used to live in the same dorm and we had times of fellowship, breaking bread, praying for each other, doing homework, laughing, joking, and just living life together. We invited non-believers in to our group to share in our community while modeling what Christ's love and body looked like. It was sweet and glorious.

Upon graduation, we spread across the country and found ourselves disillusioned with what we envisioned the early Church to have looked like (Acts 2:42-47) and what typical American culture looks like. As adults, people have their own families and kids, live in their apartments or houses, live far away from each other, and only see each other once or twice a week (church service and small group).

There are some folks whom I know that are talking about buying some houses all next to each other so they can relive the glory days of college where we can all be neighbors, and fellowship together because that is what the early Church looked like. And if that is not possible, then maybe we can all spend extended times at each other's places (rotation of week-long or month-long stays with each other at various houses scattered throughout).

Does Christian fellowship / community mean that we must all live, sleep, work, and eat together 24/7? What exactly is the model of Christian community and how does it play into American culture? I'm aware that other cultures in Africa or Asia are much more communal and life is lived much more socially than individually. The phrase "It takes a village to raise a child" is most apt when lived out in those areas than it is in America where it seems like everyone is much more isolated and wants to do their own thing and not have to have yet another thing on an already busy schedule.

So, which is it? Should we all live on a commune together or is it possible to live separated lives while also modeling Christian community?

Possible, but all the communes I've had anything to do with fell apart eventually. I've never actually lived in one. For decades I was part of a very close knit fellowship. Few days went past before we got together. Eventually, people went their separate ways. It's not easy, especially for married people with children.

 

[returntosender]

YIKES!

 

[RileyG]

I feel it depends on the individual. Some are meant more for solitude then gathering with others. Some are more social creatures. It just depends on the person and the situations involved.

Agreed. As an introvert, being around someone 24/7 would be a nightmare.

 

[Carl Emerson]

The community structure I envisage would not mean being around folks 24/7

 

[seeking.IAM]

Christian communal living still exists. But it exists in monasteries.

It also still exists outside of monasteries like this one. We have a Supreme Court justice that came out of this community.

 

[Lost Witness]

Sign me up!!!
Would be nice to be surrounded by others that enjoy talking about the LORD.
got many,many, many questions and a love for reading scripture.
So sign me up.

Sorry for the interruption..
Just had to say it


May The LORD Bless You and Keep You

 

[Carl Emerson]

No problem - may there be many more.