the Holy Catholic Church. . . (Not that one, the other one)

 We are a united people. Our cause and purpose is all the same. We have a reliance on each citizen and an accountability that reinstates that reliance.

We are United at all times. It is a natural inclination to reject the interdependence that fuels all of Christianity, but we must grasp and come to terms with the overwhelming responsibility of standing and falling together. I know the initial reaction to this unity principle is "if they fail then they did it on their own" or even worse "They made those decisions, they deserve what they get!" Holy God, are we saved for such a disgusting spiritual state as the modern church portrays?!?

Here's an example: I recently found out that an old friend got divorced. Apparently there were problems in the relationship for years. For a little background, this friend was a beaming example of what meant to be "radically saved"; his experience literally built my theology of God's power to change everything in a life. Knowing that God had moved so mightily in this couples lives, I was brought to instant brokenness for them. Understand that i wasn't disappointed that they brought yet another failed marriage into the forefront of the minds of unbelievers, nor was I critical of their disregard of Jesus' clear teaching that the Father hates divorce. No, my immediate concern was how have I [and by extension the entire church] failed them. I saw them both once a year for the past 8 years, did I go out of my way to connect with them, to pray with or for them, to give my heart to them. I love them both and when they fail, I fail. 

When you fail I don't want to know so I can condemn you. I need to know because we are "the body of Christ". We fail together and we will rise the same, friend! In the same way, when you triumph I don't want to puff you up or put you on a pedestal. I desperately want to share in victory because the risen Christ has made the difference for us.

There isn't an option here, if you are united with Christ you are united to His people. We can't afford to keep doing it any other way.

Community can fail (perspectives)

So here's some of the incredible input and advice that others had to back up and give insight into this idea (thanks everyone that helped me organize the background of this):

-it's God's community and He's in charge.

-It doesn't matter if you're seeking community, that's awesome and you'll find it if you are.  The real purpose of community is not to seek it, it's to seek others and bring them into it so “Authentic” community goes to the individual, out of love, and draws them back in.  Unless God (only Him) has called them away, then “authentic” community encourages them, prays over them and sends them out with blessing, and remains available to support and strengthen them in God's call.

-A bigger point of community is not to be sought out, but to go and seek others.

The thing about community is that it’s like a living organism.  Sometimes it's running full speed, adrenaline pumping and all.  Other times, it's in recovery mode (pacing itself, trying to stabilize).  So it expands and contracts like everything else in nature. [Beautiful picture made through wisdom]

 Discipleship [as applied in community] really just depends on how God's Spirit moves people.  Despite our best efforts [or motives, or intentions], God is bigger than this issue and will bring about good fruit in community.

- I am (or "we are") not really the linchpin(s)[.e. the ones holding this thing together].  Community is much larger than little ole' me [or us].  It’s not up to us to hold it together, it’s up to us to hear God and apply His voice to the conversation and climate that He is weaving.

-This "fall" is not necessarily a bad thing.  We define "success" differently than Jesus did in terms of what a successful community looks like.  If Jesus' community was successful (which I believe it was), then we must admit that a truly successful community is one that falls apart from time to time.  It is one where every time it gets too big (or ineffective), Jesus (the Gospel) pulls a few weeds, or even uproots some of the stronger plants (to move them to a larger garden).  On the outside this looks like a complete failure (accident), I know.  But we couldn't have stopped it if we knew it was coming years prior to the crumbling.  In fact, if we could, I'm not so sure it would even be a good thing.  As we have said in our community (about dying ministries), "let the dying horse die!"

- People do community (and accountability) for the wrong reasons all the time.  In fact, we as leaders often fail (depending on the week).  It doesn't seem helpful to insist that everyone always have the right motives when seeking (or returning to community, or seeking accountability).  It seems more helpful to talk about those reasons once they’re "in" (or back in).  Again, our motives are constantly changing colors and deceiving us.  Let us not judge the motives of others too harshly, but instead simply be glad for their participation / return.

-My heart goes out to community everywhere ‘cause it's a hard call. The weight of ministry and relationships is heavy and without a team to bare those burdens it's even tougher.

- Sure it'll look different, but that's ok if it does.  God is going to do what He's done for thousands of years and His will is going to prevail.  As hard as it is to watch it change and even fall apart, the most loving thing I can do for the community I gave everything to is to step out of God's way when He calls me out and let him work on those hearts.  That doesn't mean that on a personal level I abandon them all together.  I still love them, but I love them too much to continue protecting them from what God expects of them.