by Shawn Burke

Community. What is it? I keep hearing this word.  It’s a word thrown around quite a bit in conversation, at church, at car shows, in restaurants, and at the post office. What does it mean? Is it a culture? A specific place? A people group?

According to Merriam-Webster, a community is a unified body of individuals, more specifically people with common interests living in a particular area. I believe that is a very broad definition that doesn’t truly capture the heart of community.  

I checked a few other sources and found a little better definition on Dictionary.com. A community is a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists.

Okaaaaayyy…so, we’ve got a group of people with common interests that, in some ways, is set apart from the whole. I’m starting to get a better picture, but what do they do? What is the purpose of community? 

1 Corinthians 12:25 ~ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.

I kind of like the way our local church, Community Life defines it…

“At Community Life Church, we love God, we love people, and we connect people to Jesus.”

We focus on local, community outreach first, by lifting up our neighbors in need. By empowering those around us to find their place in the greater story, we then look to collectively use our God-given gifts to make a regional, national, and international impact through serving and loving others.

Hebrews 13:16 ~ Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

To help us gain a better understanding, let’s take a look at the root word commune. The French word commune appeared in the 12th century, from Medieval Latin communia, for a large gathering of people sharing a common life; from Latin communis, 'things held in common,' Commune members have emotional bonds to the whole group rather than to any sub-group, and the commune is experienced with emotions which go beyond just social collectivity.

I believe to truly experience community, it requires more than merely being in the community. It requires action. Taking action to reach out to those who are in need, helping others who may be hurting or having difficulty caring for others with the only motive to see them thrive or improve their status. 

James 1:22 ~ But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

One group of people I’ve seen that does an excellent job of loving & taking care of others is the Classic Volkswagen Community. These quirky, oil dripping, air-cooled classic cars tend to bring together some of the most amazing people from all walks of life. I’ve been a member of the Volkswagen Community and in associated car clubs for my entire life. With most of the cars over fifty years old, you absolutely have to have a community to keep them running and on the road! Finding parts, technical advice, service, and restoration products are getting harder and harder to find.  A couple of months ago, I had a great conversation with my VW buddy Wild Bill Tucker. I remember him saying,

The Volkswagen community is like an underground cult. It’s tight-knit, it crosses lines of ethnicity, age, culture, religious backgrounds, even political preferences. We have our own language and our own currency: trading and selling parts. Because there is one thing common among all Volkswagen owners. If you’re driving down the road and see another Volkswagen coming, you know what it takes to keep that old car on the road. There is an instant bond and you throw up a peace sign, shaka, or wave to let them know that bond is there. If they are a Volkswagen owner, you’re going to help them and they’re going to help you. For example…if I’m driving cross-country and I get to Houston, and my alternator goes out, or if I’m broke down on the side of the road, all I’ve got to do it go on Facebook or the Bay Pride web page Jay Gould set up and say, “This is Wild Bill. I’m broke down on Interstate 10 at exit 37. I need an alternator. Is there anyone around that might have one?” Within minutes someone will reply and say, “Oh yeah, Joe Schmuckatelli has one. I’ve already called him, and he’s on his way!” We never ever leave anyone behind! If someone breaks down or needs help, someone will always go and respond to it.

Philippians 2:4 ~ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

I have also experienced this amazing community response to help me when I’ve had trouble on the side of the road. It doesn’t matter if it is during Cruisin’ the Coast with over 8,000 other classic cars on the road, or in the middle of the night. Within minutes everyone jumps in to help locate someone with the right parts, and imminent rescue is underway. This is only one of the many reasons I am drawn to this Volkswagen Community. They are always ready to pitch in and help out. 

In August 2016, unprecedented rainfall moved across Louisiana, creating historic flooding across Baton Rouge and outlying communities. A large VW group quickly rallied from several states across the southeast and kicked into gear to help Tom & Trisha Coulton after their home was destroyed. We spent a few days removing damaged furniture, personal belongings, and tearing out soaking wet cabinets, drywall, and insulation. Regardless of the grim situation the Coulton’s faced, there was an upbeat mood, lots of laughs, and even some dancing. The VW community helped turn a seemingly impossible task into a time of hope and an opportunity to help others in need. Once we finished with their home, we helped other neighbors who were overwhelmed. 

The VW community has helped us move on several occasions. 

Rare Air holds technical sessions in Pensacola, Florida monthly for knowledge sharing, routine maintenance and help keeping other cars on the road. Members often donate free or inexpensive parts and help install them. 

There is always so much fun and camaraderie at Volkswagen community events, campouts, parades, road trips, and going to car shows with this extended family. I could go on and on with hundreds of stories of selfless acts of kindness within this community. As I think about the bonds and friendships that have been built around (and under) these old cars, let’s consider one final word communion.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ~ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Communion, also called the Eucharist or Holy Communion, where Christ gave Himself as a sacrifice for others, laying down his life so that others may live. While we in the Body of Believers may be considered a community, it is through communion that we remember and share in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We reflect on the sacrifice he gave to redeem something that had been lost. We become an active participant in the story as we give thanks and allow Christ to live within us. We live our best in community when we put others needs before our own.

Galatians 5:13 ~ For you have been called to live in freedom…use your freedom to serve one another in love.

As we look around this week and interact in our various communities, at work, in our neighborhood, or social groups, let us find ways to reach out and help others. Let’s give a kind or encouraging word, a sincere compliment, by intentionally listening to others and caring for them. It may not seem like much, but if more people live their lives this way, the world we live in would be much different than it is today.

Deuteronomy 15:10 ~ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Resources

We’ve created a free downloadable PDF to explore the article deeper. It contains discussion questions about the topic in general terms that will give you a jumping-off point for beginning a conversation.

The second page contains a way to see the topic from a biblical perspective.

And finally, to go deeper into the subject, we have chosen a few curated resources to explore from other authors’ and thinkers’ research or perspectives.

Read. Engage. Enjoy!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Depending on how a gem is held, light refracts differently. At B+PC we engage in Pop Culture topics to see ideas from a new angle, to bring us to a deeper understanding. And like Pastor Shane Willard notes, we want “…Jesus to get bigger, the cross to get clearer, the Resurrection to be central…” Instead of approaching a topic from “I don’t want to be wrong,“ we strive for the alternative “I want to expand my perspective.” 

So, we invite you to engage with us here. What piqued your curiosity to dig deeper? What line inspired you to action? What idea made you ask, “Hmmm?” Let’s join with our community to wrestle with our thoughts in love in the Comment Section! See you there!