When I was asked to write something on Life Groups at the Bible Church, I thought “Sure, why not?” But then as I tried to collect my thoughts on the reasons for being part of a life group I couldn’t figure out where to start. I could have started by mentioning the community Jesus was in – the disciples. Or, I could have started with some quote from Bonhoeffer on Christian community – one that would slap people in the face with its convicting simplicity. But instead I’m just going to share with you part of my story.
My job, which is centered on quality of life and health, provides me the pleasure of working with a variety of groups in Durham – all of which focus on the many issues that contribute to quality of life in the City of Durham and Durham County. I’m well aware that there are many local churches partnering in advocacy or quality of life endeavors (shout out to Durham CAN!), but it appears to me that secular organizations and local government are more at the forefront. So as I saw all the groups contributing to this work, I began to ask myself “Where’s the church? What is the church’s role in this city? What can I do?”
I like to talk, some might say too much, and so these questions started several conversations with others at the Bible Church. As it turned out, there were many others also thinking deeply about the church’s role in what I’m going to call social justice. And as a side note, when I mention “the church”, I’m not referring to the Bible Church, but to a larger idea of church such as the local or global church, a unified church that works together as one to love God and love others. But back to my story…my thoughts turned into conversations, conversations turned into more solid ideas, and before I knew it Adam and Manda Klein had started a group of like-minded CHBC folk. Yeah, they rock.
We started by reading and discussing Tim Keller’s book “Generous Justice” (which is excellent and should be read by all, as it’s a great text on understanding God’s justice and how we as Christians should respond to and display it). Wowzer. To say the book was insightful and challenging would be an understatement. But, the real joy and treasure was not in reading the book, but in challenging each other to LIVE it. As we learned with and from each other, it seemed that every single one of us was presented with the opportunity to exhibit the love and justice of God to someone we knew – whether in our neighborhood, at work, on the bus, or in our families. We’ve since finished the book and are now participating in the Bible Church’s reading of “The Story”; however, we continue to seek out ways to further justice in our communities. To be missional in how we relate to those we meet.
This group is my community. We eat together, we edify each other, and we love each other. We lift each other up in prayer when we don’t have the strength to do it on our own (and even when we do have the strength). The support that I have in this family is overwhelming and is often what keeps my head up and my heart hopeful. Let the Chapel Hill Bible Church be known for her community, for the love and power of Christian community is unimaginable.
- Gretchen Kroeger