by Dr. Deborah Bauers

Created on: August 11, 2011   Last Updated: October 19, 2011

In today's culture where individuals are increasingly connecting on a more casual basis, the collective wisdom of a community is more important than ever. "It takes a whole village to raise a child," is an old African proverb that aptly illustrates the importance of extended family and friends in the process of a child's growth and development.  The wisdom of community has always been about, not just acquiring knowledge, but applying it together and sharing in the positive outcomes. The traditional concept of being a part of a community carries the connotation of a level of committment that is far from casual. Nowhere is this more aptly illustrated than in a faith community.

What is a Faith Community?

Being a part of a faith community means participating with others in a spiritual journey to discover the wisdom needed to live a purposeful life.  In Proverbs 15:22 (NIV) the Bible says that plans fail in the absence of wise counsel, but when many offer wisdom, all share in the benefits. Shared wisdom profits those outside the faith community as well as those within.  Wisdom is spoken of in the Bible (Deuteronomy 4:5-6) as a quality that sets God’s people apart. When spiritual insight becomes apparent to those outside a faith community they often express it this way; “I want what you have.”  The advantages of wisdom, when it is shared with others within the community, are multiplied many times over. Faith communities offer their participants:

1.  Emotional and physical support

2.  The comfort of traditions

3. Mutual accountability

4. Corporate worship

5. Education

6. Social services

7. Leisure activities

What is the relationship between wisdom and the faith community?

There is always an inherent danger when one individual relies upon only himself for spiritual wisdom. Families of origin and life’s experiences have a way of creating filters that impact how each individual views himself and the world around him.  It is significant that both James and Paul, prominent apostles and writers of the New Testament, spend more time warning Christians about the pitfalls of what goes on inside a man, than in admonishing them about the external world. Some of the greatest stumbling blocks to Christian growth and maturity are the private wars that are waged in the heart.  Pride, lack of faith, not loving others, and complacency are common themes that the Bible cautions Christians to guard

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