Community
Published by Korey Buchanek under on 2:30 AM
August 25, 2010
Well, I’m back at it again after taking some time to adjust to a new season of ministry here in Hawaii. Many may think that living in paradise is all anyone could ask for, but what the common tourist fails to understand is that this is a community unlike any other. It’s different. To the common mainland perspective it is a bit strange or even dysfunctional at first glance, but that does not detract from the fact that genuine community exists within this unique cultural paradigm.
You see a “Community” is defined by the group of people, who have common cultural, ethical and religious beliefs, living together in a particular local area. The people can also form a community if they have any other virtues in common, like a common profession, a common language, common goals of life, etc. the term Community is widely used to evoke a sense of collectivism. It’s no different here. The culture thrives on community here at a rich and deep level. Matter of fact the Hawaiian language expresses a strong sense of community. A term that resonates with me is one that plays out in the community beautifully and that term is ohana.
From an outsiders perspective they would see ohana as simply meaning family. However, here ohana carries a sense that family is a place to feed each other and to be fed, as well. One of the Hawaiian proverbs recorded by the venerated Mary Kawena Pukui is ‘Ike aku, ‘ike mai, kōkua aku, kōkua mai; pela iho la ka nohana ‘ohana -- "Recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped; such is a family relationship." Yet there is a deeper understanding that you will quickly grasp if you spend time with people here. Ohana is more than just family. It’s an understanding that within the family or a community of families no one get’s left behind. There is value placed in each and every member of the family or community unit. It’s a beautiful display of how God sees us.
Scott Peck says it well when he wrote, “There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.” I’m staggered by the understanding that this is the very sentiment that encapsulates the original intent and design of the church. Not just the church here in this small part of the world, but globally. The church was commissioned with this sense of understanding that we are to bring the gospel to the least of those within our community or family. That takes risk and vulnerability. Have we lost our way? Have we become willing to leave certain people behind for the sake of our agendas or our unwillingness to be vulnerable?
Groucho Marx was recorded as saying, “I would never belong to a group that would accept someone like me as a member.” My prayer for our time here would be to reach into a culture and communicate the love of Christ in such ways that the Groucho Marx’s of the Pacific Islands would find a place to belong. I’m still a firm believer that people don’t have a problem with our God, they have a problem with our churches. Lord help me to lead with the conviction and tenacity to create a deeper understanding of ohana in the life of your Bride. May I be vulnerable enough to take the risks that would allow us to see Your glory displayed here and beyond. Lord help me to understand that the life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.
Well, I’m back at it again after taking some time to adjust to a new season of ministry here in Hawaii. Many may think that living in paradise is all anyone could ask for, but what the common tourist fails to understand is that this is a community unlike any other. It’s different. To the common mainland perspective it is a bit strange or even dysfunctional at first glance, but that does not detract from the fact that genuine community exists within this unique cultural paradigm.
You see a “Community” is defined by the group of people, who have common cultural, ethical and religious beliefs, living together in a particular local area. The people can also form a community if they have any other virtues in common, like a common profession, a common language, common goals of life, etc. the term Community is widely used to evoke a sense of collectivism. It’s no different here. The culture thrives on community here at a rich and deep level. Matter of fact the Hawaiian language expresses a strong sense of community. A term that resonates with me is one that plays out in the community beautifully and that term is ohana.
From an outsiders perspective they would see ohana as simply meaning family. However, here ohana carries a sense that family is a place to feed each other and to be fed, as well. One of the Hawaiian proverbs recorded by the venerated Mary Kawena Pukui is ‘Ike aku, ‘ike mai, kōkua aku, kōkua mai; pela iho la ka nohana ‘ohana -- "Recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped; such is a family relationship." Yet there is a deeper understanding that you will quickly grasp if you spend time with people here. Ohana is more than just family. It’s an understanding that within the family or a community of families no one get’s left behind. There is value placed in each and every member of the family or community unit. It’s a beautiful display of how God sees us.
Scott Peck says it well when he wrote, “There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.” I’m staggered by the understanding that this is the very sentiment that encapsulates the original intent and design of the church. Not just the church here in this small part of the world, but globally. The church was commissioned with this sense of understanding that we are to bring the gospel to the least of those within our community or family. That takes risk and vulnerability. Have we lost our way? Have we become willing to leave certain people behind for the sake of our agendas or our unwillingness to be vulnerable?
Groucho Marx was recorded as saying, “I would never belong to a group that would accept someone like me as a member.” My prayer for our time here would be to reach into a culture and communicate the love of Christ in such ways that the Groucho Marx’s of the Pacific Islands would find a place to belong. I’m still a firm believer that people don’t have a problem with our God, they have a problem with our churches. Lord help me to lead with the conviction and tenacity to create a deeper understanding of ohana in the life of your Bride. May I be vulnerable enough to take the risks that would allow us to see Your glory displayed here and beyond. Lord help me to understand that the life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.
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