From Conversation to Community

By Kara Bolonda

I'd like to say that I jumped at the chance to invite friends to participate in 40 Days of Purpose. The truth is that I myself was unenthused about joining a small group for this six-week period - it seemed too short a time to really make a difference. Still, I knew a few people who might be willing to come learn more about Christ and following him just because of that short time frame, and because a home setting is more inviting than a church building. So, it was with guarded expectations that my husband and I joined a group forming up in our neighborhood... and invited some friends.

Our small group formed just for the purpose of 40 Days. What we have in common is the same zip code. Beyond that, our group has plenty of diversity. We have long-time Central members along with newcomers. We are at all different places in the journey of knowing and loving Christ, and we have a range of life stages and stresses. At first glance, it seemed my hesitations were well-grounded; there was no reason this group of 11 people should connect in only a few hours together.

Nevertheless, we have all been amazed and delighted by the spirit of openness that has prevailed. It became apparent within the first meeting that each one of us desired to be genuine and honest, risking ourselves to experience true community. The group has embraced each other where we are in our own lives and spiritual journeys-even if it required hearing thoughts that didn't reflect our own. The resulting experience of being heard and understood has been powerful for us all. Although we had a wide range of responses to the material covered in 40 Days, we plan to continue meeting together through the summer to study God's word, grow in Christ's character, and build on the intimacy and community among us.

I have learned all over again that, both inside and outside of the church, both inside and outside of Christ's family, we are all hungry for real relationship. What I crave as a more "mature" Christian-intimacy with God and others-is the same thing that draws people to begin a relationship with Christ. The feedback of those friends we invited has also reminded me that I never know who is watching me, what they might be seeing, and whether they are just waiting for someone to open the door to sharing spiritual truth.

This experience has encouraged me to be as transparent as I can in living out my life's purpose of wholeheartedly loving God and others. And I trust God will help me recognize more opportunities to take the initiative with friends and neighbors-hopefully a little more willingly next time! There is no limit to what God can do-even with 11 very different people--even in 40 Days!