More on Community

​This week’s Mustard Seed examines the purpose and function of communities. Humans are not self-sufficient; we need other people. Companionship, effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and interest all lead to cooperation and specialization. People with the requisite complement of skills unite to accomplish tasks, pursue common interests, or react to events.
​Our initial communal grouping is family. Barring exceptional circumstances, each of us is born into a family. Children must be nurtured and nourished for many years until they are able to function without guidance and support. Families are bonded by love.
      Parents introduce their children to other communities according to the particular child’s physical, psychological, and emotional development. Upon reaching sufficient maturity, the child voluntarily joins communities according to their interests and abilities. These communities are bonded by location and purpose. Once a child is mature enough to leave their parents, location becomes less of a constraint. Some communities arise more by circumstance than intent. Unforeseen events necessitate action from those capable of responding.
    Individuals will join many communities. They may also to leave a community if they find it unsuitable to their needs, interests, abilities and beliefs. If a member does not meet expectations the community may expel them.
     Communities only survive in solidarity. Members must seek the good of the whole. Members must cooperate with each other. Subordinates must respect their superiors.
       Communities thrive in subsidiarity. Resources, authority, and autonomy must be assigned to the lowest effective level of the communal hierarchy to maximize the contributions of the members. Superiors must support and appreciate their subordinates.
     Order is maintained in a community through communication. Subordinates must understand expectations and superiors must be kept abreast of progress, problems and, needs. If members pursue self-interests contrary to the good of the whole or if superiors fail to distribute resources and control, the community will fail.
       Next week:  Rights, obligations, and limits.
                                                                    God bless.

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