A few years ago sociologist Robert Bellah and his associates wrote a book called The Habits of The Heart. The book was widely popular with people who were concerned about the state of community in our nation. Many pastors and spiritual leaders read the book and utilized it as a touchstone when talking about Christian Community.
David Augsburger in his book Dissident Spirituality (2006)utilizes Bellah's book in a similar manner. Then he turns his attention to the nature of Christian community. In this section of the book I came across this quote:
"To call a church a community of virtues is to identify the habits of the church. The church is that body which out of habit tells the truth; which out of habit loves enemies, feeds the hungry, forgives sinners; which out of habit praises God for what we have received,...prays and worships." (taken from Harry Huebner and David Schroeder, The Church as Parable, 1993,p. 179)
I don't know about you but I had not thought about the attributes of the Church (or Christian community)as a 'habit'. I find this rather provactive and challenging. What thoughts do you have about 'the habits of the church'? If you made a list of what constituted the 'habits of the church, what might you include in such a list?
| | Posted by AZRON at 5:47 PM - | |
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When we teach children habits as they are growing up they usually have a healthy benefit like brushing your teeth, getting a good night's sleep, washing your hands regularly etc. I would like to think that the habits of the church community would show that its participants have a healthy spirituality. Young participants or new participants in the church community may learn some of the habits beofre they are totally healthy spiritually but it will help them mature in their development. Thanks for the thoughts, June
Thanks for stopping and reading and sharing your thougths.
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