Community: defined

At the leadership team meeting last week, I came away with a calendar of events and class sessions for the coming year. It came to my attention that it would be fun to post a definition of "community" on the Legacy web page. 

com·mu·ni·ty:

1. a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.

2. a locality inhabited by such a group.

3. 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 (usually preceded by the ): the business community; the community of scholars.

4. a group of associated nations sharing common interests or a common heritage: the community of Western Europe.

5. Ecclesiastical . a group of men or women leading a common life according to a rule. 

The Salem Alliance Church definition reads: "They are mid-sized groups--fellowships of between 25 - 60 adults, formed for mutual encouragement, caring, teaching, friendship, and service.  They are a place where the large church provides a "small church" experience. This is where many find their church family."

Legacy is that "small church" within a much larger one. This is where relationships develop on a deeper level.  

I hope each of you have found a sense of community in Legacy! 

Dale Shafer

Legacy Leadership Team

Meaningful Quotes of the Year...

The following quotes were shared this Sunday, ones that were used during the past year. The quotes define community groups.

"We exist to serve others and then die, just like our Founder." - James Bryan Smith

"We so easily carry the attitude that our own self-preservation, personal happiness and needs are of first importance. When this is the fabric of our group life, it will simply not carry sufficient energy to sustain the life of the group over the long haul. The group will run out of steam and be reduced to trying to stay alive. Self-centeredness inevitably gives way to unhappiness. Jesus showed us how serving others' was done, and asked us to do it. He taught us to live believing that others' needs matter. This is the life-blood of a healthy community group. It is hugely attractive to those who would like to be in one, and carries the vision and drive that brought the group into existence." - Allison Collingwood 

"The future of the church depends on whether it develops true community. We can get by for awhile on size, skilled communication, and programs to meet every need, but unless we sense that we belong to each other, with masks off, the vibrant church of today will become the powerless church of tomorrow." - Larry Crabb