Community
Hello, so here’s to my first blog entry for Ivy Fallowfield. I’m going to just spend a little bit of time looking deeper into community and the early churches example of community. I take my inspiration from an amazing book which I recommend, “Influential, Women in Leadership in church, work and beyond.” Honestly boys it is not just one for the ladies, there are peals of wisdom throughout on leadership and it comes highly recommended by the one and only Mr Mike Pilivarchi J It’s written by a very wise lady called Jo Saxton, some of you have probably heard her speak at Momentum or Soul Survivor.
Before I launch into community and Oikos I just want to encourage you all and thank you for the amazing work you guys put in every week to make Ivy Fallowfield what it is. We can only do this together as a team and the time you give up the energies you put into Ivy Fallowfield mean that it is growing and developing into a movement. So thank youJ
Ok so Oikos.. what am I on about? Oikos translated means house. When we think of our house we think of those who make up our immediate family and friends. People who are very close to us, those who we know really really well. Oikos in biblical times meant a house that was open to a whole lot more. The Oikos meant a whole community living together, being a social and economic unit together. I imagine the Oikos being a hub of activity, a house that had its door open that always, if it translated to now, would have had the kettle on for the eclectic and exciting mix of people that were always welcome and who resided together.
I don’t know about you but I love this image. Within biblical times these Oikos houses were where church happened, church happened in the home. It was not about the building but about the people within it. A group of passionate and loving people who wanted to share the love of Christ with those around them. Sound familiar? As we search and try out different buildings keep in mind that a church is not about the building but about the people and the passion and love they themselves have for others. You already know that though J
So going back to the Oikos… lets be people who develop little Oikos ( house) communities. Let’s fling our doors open and welcome those around us. Let’s do church in our homes. Many of you will do things like this already, that’s great, keep doing it. Nothing can show people the love of Christ like being a good neighbour, remember the awesome verse, “love thy neighbour as thy self?” By growing little Oikos communities all over Fallowfield and Manchester we can change our closed society.
Let’s keep creating Oikos communities within our streets and see the love of God flow out of them and watch people change.
By
Emily Bowyer
