lynn.davis2What is authentic community?
 
It includes openness, sensitivity to the needs of others, encouragement, mutual spiritual growth, accountability, and unity in the midst of diversity.

Authentic community doesn't mean we're trying to create a therapy group. Instead, it means we're trying to be real with other people and allow them to be real with us. It means taking off the masks and sharing our lives with others.

But this doesn't happen too often in our culture. From an early age (especially through advertisements) we learn that "we should never let them see us sweat" or that we must "put up a good front" regardless of how things really are. Thus we see an increase in mental and physical health issues that are often caused by people trying to keep up appearances. And eventually the false front comes crashing down, often with tragic consequences.

That's why we work to create authentic community. It's not easy to create, but when it happens people will attest to the fact that life is far better!

Authentic community among the early Christians was first seen in the Book of Acts:
They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Acts 2:42 (MSG)