"Religion is needed where there is a wall of separation between God and man. But Christ who is both God and man has broken down the wall between man and God. He has inaugarated a new life, not a new religion."- Alexander Schememann, "For the Life of the World pg. 19
The image on the left is called a "Johari Window." It was named after its inventors, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham. It serves as a useful model for illustrating the process of human interaction.
The "window" divides personal awareness into four different types: Open, Hidden, Blind, and Unknown. The lines dividing the four panes are like window shades, which can move as an interaction progresses.
Although this sounds like a kind of "pop psychology" tool that has become standard fare in the self-help sections of bookstores and libraries these days - it actually illustrates very well the value of open dialogue or communication that can occur within a gathered community. These communities are a form of the "Church" in Christian terms, a kind of "Tariqah" in Sufism, and a "Sangha" in Hindu/Buddhist terms. It demonstrates how groups of human beings that gather around a topic to discuss their experiences become catalysts for their own mutual growth; the whole (the community) becomes greater than the sum of the parts (the individual members).
In the opening chapter of the book of Romans - the Apostle Paul makes reference to the value of this type of community dialogue:
"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine."
The "window" divides personal awareness into four different types: Open, Hidden, Blind, and Unknown. The lines dividing the four panes are like window shades, which can move as an interaction progresses.
Although this sounds like a kind of "pop psychology" tool that has become standard fare in the self-help sections of bookstores and libraries these days - it actually illustrates very well the value of open dialogue or communication that can occur within a gathered community. These communities are a form of the "Church" in Christian terms, a kind of "Tariqah" in Sufism, and a "Sangha" in Hindu/Buddhist terms. It demonstrates how groups of human beings that gather around a topic to discuss their experiences become catalysts for their own mutual growth; the whole (the community) becomes greater than the sum of the parts (the individual members).
In the opening chapter of the book of Romans - the Apostle Paul makes reference to the value of this type of community dialogue:
"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine."
- Romans 1:11-12
A CHURCH ON EVERY CORNER
Since the "Schism" of 1054A.D. when the Roman branch of the Catholic Church broke away from their Eastern brethren - (which ultimately led to the Reformation), there has been a proliferation of literally thousands of denominations throughout the world. So, as I drive down a typical main street I might see as many different "churches" as I might see gas stations - each claiming, like the gas stations, to be offering a better version of the same thing!
Now, most of these churches can justify their formation on some well grounded theological argument. However, with some of them it gets into some pretty fine "hairsplitting," or "personal preferences."
When I look back into the origins of the church I don't see this current model as being a good representation of the intended purpose. The church wasn't just a building where a group of people gathered in isolation to exclude themselves from the outside world. It was to be a window into the kingdom of God - as Fr. Schmemann says, "The church itself was the new and heavenly Jerusalem, while the church in Jerusalem was by contrast unimportant." (Italics added for emphasis).
The church was to be a new community, as seen in Acts 2 - where people could come to worship God and share in their lack and in their abundance, in a spirit of reconciliation and communication. Not in the spirit of judgemental criticism and condemnation. The church was a place of transformation - where those who had "lost" their way, could find the way to truth and life.
The early church gathered in various forms - mostly houses and various "upper rooms." They would share communion and a meal together. The liturgical worship that is found in the Orthodox Church was actually based on the pattern of worship of these early gatherings.
Today, when we think of a Church it is now centred around a building where worship is part of an order of service built around a "message" or program that is designed to teach, or evangelize the "audience." The original Church was a gathering place for worship, while other activities, like evangelism occurred OUTSIDE the building, in and among the community.
WITHIN YOU, WITHOUT YOU
I've always found it interesting that one of the most quoted verses in the bible - Luke 17:21, can be translated accurately two different ways.....
Some translations say: "The kingdom of God is within you." - while other translations say "The kingdom of God is in the midst of you," or, "The kingdom of God is among you."
Those of us with an aptitude for mystical solitude, or who tend to be introverted - jump all over the "within you." While those extroverts with a heart for social interaction - claim that the kingdom is "among" us!
I've come to see that both views are right!!!
Today we live in a world where communication, although fast and efficient, is not often clear and mutually understood. People rarely take the time anymore to engage in conversations about deep and meaningful subjects - and words like "witnessing," "evangelism" and "absolute truth" can generate anger and confusion. The idea of a "personal truth" - although describing choices that each of us must make in order to navigate the world, causes us to become closed-minded and insular to those around us.
Last Saturday I had the opportunity to engage in open conversation about God and truth and although we did not all agree on the same "brand" of church - we all agreed that truth is found in dialogue and fellowship. After our discussion we all felt enriched and more aware of each other's understanding.
When you consider how Jesus taught - through parables and questions - you see that He demonstrated the model of human interraction. He revealed that the kingdom of God is within us and among us - right here and right now and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
A CHURCH ON EVERY CORNER
Since the "Schism" of 1054A.D. when the Roman branch of the Catholic Church broke away from their Eastern brethren - (which ultimately led to the Reformation), there has been a proliferation of literally thousands of denominations throughout the world. So, as I drive down a typical main street I might see as many different "churches" as I might see gas stations - each claiming, like the gas stations, to be offering a better version of the same thing!
Now, most of these churches can justify their formation on some well grounded theological argument. However, with some of them it gets into some pretty fine "hairsplitting," or "personal preferences."
When I look back into the origins of the church I don't see this current model as being a good representation of the intended purpose. The church wasn't just a building where a group of people gathered in isolation to exclude themselves from the outside world. It was to be a window into the kingdom of God - as Fr. Schmemann says, "The church itself was the new and heavenly Jerusalem, while the church in Jerusalem was by contrast unimportant." (Italics added for emphasis).
The church was to be a new community, as seen in Acts 2 - where people could come to worship God and share in their lack and in their abundance, in a spirit of reconciliation and communication. Not in the spirit of judgemental criticism and condemnation. The church was a place of transformation - where those who had "lost" their way, could find the way to truth and life.
The early church gathered in various forms - mostly houses and various "upper rooms." They would share communion and a meal together. The liturgical worship that is found in the Orthodox Church was actually based on the pattern of worship of these early gatherings.
Today, when we think of a Church it is now centred around a building where worship is part of an order of service built around a "message" or program that is designed to teach, or evangelize the "audience." The original Church was a gathering place for worship, while other activities, like evangelism occurred OUTSIDE the building, in and among the community.
WITHIN YOU, WITHOUT YOU
I've always found it interesting that one of the most quoted verses in the bible - Luke 17:21, can be translated accurately two different ways.....
Some translations say: "The kingdom of God is within you." - while other translations say "The kingdom of God is in the midst of you," or, "The kingdom of God is among you."
Those of us with an aptitude for mystical solitude, or who tend to be introverted - jump all over the "within you." While those extroverts with a heart for social interaction - claim that the kingdom is "among" us!
I've come to see that both views are right!!!
Today we live in a world where communication, although fast and efficient, is not often clear and mutually understood. People rarely take the time anymore to engage in conversations about deep and meaningful subjects - and words like "witnessing," "evangelism" and "absolute truth" can generate anger and confusion. The idea of a "personal truth" - although describing choices that each of us must make in order to navigate the world, causes us to become closed-minded and insular to those around us.
Last Saturday I had the opportunity to engage in open conversation about God and truth and although we did not all agree on the same "brand" of church - we all agreed that truth is found in dialogue and fellowship. After our discussion we all felt enriched and more aware of each other's understanding.
When you consider how Jesus taught - through parables and questions - you see that He demonstrated the model of human interraction. He revealed that the kingdom of God is within us and among us - right here and right now and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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