Biblical Responsibilities for Building Community
Living in daily fellowship with others is a privilege and an expression of God’s grace. In recognition of this privilege, we place great value on the quality of relationships in our community. We acknowledge that we live in a fellowship where we depend on and are accountable to one another. The New Testament word for fellowship is koinonia. It is translated as partaker, communion, communication, contribution, distribution. Our community members, therefore, are encouraged to seek as many opportunities as possible to demonstrate koinonia.
Within our community, the greatest expression of fellowship and the highest principle for relationships is love. As Scripture states:
“We should love one another. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we
ought to lay down our lives for our brothers…let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions as in truth.
Since God so loved us, we ought to love one another. Whoever loves God must also love his brothers” (1John
3:11-16, 18; 4:11, 21 NIV).
In order for growth to occur, we have identified the following specific expressions of love among the most desirable in our relationships.
Building Up One Another. Each member of the community is expected to strive consciously to maintain relationships that support, encourage, and help others. “We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up” (Romans 15:1-2 NIV).
Making Allowance for One Another. We are responsible to support those experiencing grief, discouragement, illness, tragedy, and other personal trials. Expressions of bearing one another’s burdens include comfort, consolation, encouragement, and intercession. Difficulties in relationships can occur because of our humanness. In such cases, we are to respond as Scripture states: “… clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another” (Colossians 3:12 NIV).
Speaking the Truth in Love To One Another. Speaking the truth to each other in love can strengthen our community. We can often resolve problems of relationships and behavior by constructively confronting one another in the appropriate spirit. If the welfare of the one confronted is paramount and if the confronter acts in love, growth can result. We believe healing broken relationships is necessary for healthy community. “… and He (Christ) has given us the ministry of reconciliation … and He has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV). We recognize that direct confrontation is not always possible or helpful in some cases, such as raising a matter of harassment, discrimination, assault or other illegal act to University authorities and have reporting policies in place for those situations.
Implementing the above expressions of love in relationships requires sensitivity to others and continual effort. It also requires that we love others as we love ourselves. Relationships of this quality enrich our lives and community, honor God, and assist in meeting the goals of the University.