Beyond Community: As the Body of Christ, We Are Called to So Much More

Are we not more than "birds of a feather"?

For the past decade or so, “community” has increasingly found its way into the vocabulary of the church. What used to be called small groups are now dubbed “community groups,” and some churches even refer to themselves as “faith communities.” Additionally, a quick search of related Christian books yields scores of titles about how Christians are “called to community,” one title boldly declaring that we are actually Created for Community.

Outside of Christian culture, the word “community” has become a ubiquitous buzzword applied to neighborhoods, online forums, workplaces, and brand followings. In secular culture, "community" typically describes a loose collection of people who share a geography, interest, or digital space. It can also serve as a marketing term (e.g., a "brand community") or a way to acknowledge shared identity without implying deep interpersonal responsibility. Because the secular world lacks the institutional gathering spaces of the past, the word is stretched to cover everything from local hobby clubs to Reddit groups. Yes, “community” in the non-Christian world is all the rage.

Today, while many conservative or traditional congregations retain the traditional term “fellowship," most modern church plants and non-denominational ministries prefer "community" because it resonates more with modern secular culture. Though the word is the same in either secular or ecclesiastical settings, the definition in the latter is perhaps better captured by this expanded dictionary definition: A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. This addition more closely represents what the church means when promoting “community” as a part of its purpose.

Even so, the expanded definition still falls short. Specifically, does it adequately capture the unity of the church Jesus had in mind as He interceded for His own just before the cross?

… that they may be one

even as We are (John 17:11).

No, this kind of unity comes through the Holy Spirit, not shared hobbies or demographics.

Was “community" the underlying lesson behind Jesus' washing of the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper? The Lord's symbolic acts was followed by this exhortation:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:34, emphasis added).

No, community’s togetherness does not compare to Christlike, humble, lay-down-your-life love of others.

So, do any of community's definitions do the Bible’s teachings justice? Namely, is community really synonymous with concepts like “fellowship,” and even more importantly, the “ body of Christ”? Many modern theologians and church leaders actually avoid the term "community" because they argue it waters down the biblical mandate for mutual accountability, charity, and spiritual fellowship.

In defense of their departure from biblical terminology, some churches prefer "community" instead of " body of Christ" so as to sound more approachable to newcomers, emphasizing the social support network of the congregation. Further, they aim to adapt to modern language trends that offer a more practical, everyday feel. Community, in their minds, conveys welcome, connection, and belonging. It highlights the human element of the church, that is, people sharing life together, supporting one another, and building relationships.

But words have meaning, and frankly “community” falls short of God's design for one-anothering. While the modern churches' goals are not without value, shifting to “community” over biblical words like fellowship and the body of Christ neglects some of the key principles about how God desires His people to interact with one another. The Lord wants more than mere togetherness. We must go beyond “community.” As believers in Christ, we are called to so much more!

We must go beyond “community.”

As believers in Christ, we are called to so much more!

Proponents of using “community” in church vocabulary might object that this caution is not warranted. There is a misunderstanding—just “splitting hairs,” mere semantics. Perhaps they can make a convincing case when drawing a comparison between community and the concept of Christian “fellowship.” However, not so fast when comparing community to the biblical teaching about the body of Christ.

There is no way around it, the fashionable term “community” neglects the following key scriptural teachings:

1. Members of Christ’s body are called to literal dependence upon one another;

2. The Sovereign God purposefully designs the body of Christ;

3. The body has a Head (Christ), and He is the point, not the people.

Beyond Community: Scriptural Teachings on the Body of Christ*

1. The literal dependence of the parts upon one another

(1 Corinthians 12:12-24) For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ…. For the body is not one member, but many….. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

2. God’s sovereign purposefulness in design of the body

• (1 Corinthians 12:18) But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.

• (1 Corinthians 12:24b) But God has so composed the body….

• (1 Corinthians 12:27-28) Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues..

Moreover, "community" suggests people choosing to gather around common values or interests. You can join, leave, or shop for a better one. The body of Christ, on the other hand, is a covenantal reality entered through faith and new birth. You are divinely grafted in (Romans 11) and united to Christ (and thus to every other member) in a profound, spiritual way. It is not optional like a club.

3. Christ is Head of the body; the focus should be the Head, not the body

(Colossians 1:15-18) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

*[For more teachings about the body of Christ, see also the entirety of 1 Corinthians 12, plus Romans 12 and Ephesians 4]

Certainly, the use of the term “community” by the church is well-intentioned, and there is legitimate value embedded in parts of what the word connotes. However, there is so much more that God desires from our relationships with one another than the idea of community affords. To employ the word “community” to the exclusion of words like fellowship, and even more so the body of Christ, is to subtract from what the Bible teaches. The Lord wants us to live in dependence upon one another, to serve Him and one another in the role that He sovereignly ordains, and to yield to the authority and direction of Christ, our Head. The concept of community simply does not convey these principles. Community is a good starting point, but...

We must go beyond community!

BC Publications offers Bible study and discussion guides that have been designed to foster meaningful conversations and connections around the Word of God as the body of Christ. Questions from the application sections in this series are designed to generate discussion, rather than a mere recitation of answers. Moreover, the questions provide opportunities to share from the heart, grow in vulnerability with one another, and share one another’s burdens in prayer. In part, the Bible Conversation Series exists to help others go beyond community.

To learn more and to download a FREE Bible Conversations study & discussion guide on Jonah, Ruth, or Esther, please visit us at BCpublications.org. Better yet, share this link with some friends, and make plans to grow as the body of Christ together!