CHAPTER 10 BUILDING COMMUNITY

THE FINAL CHARACTERISTIC BUILDING COMMUNITY

BUILDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT INSPIRATION SERVICE RESPECT INDIVIDUAL GIFTS TO OFFER FRANCISCAN LEADERS SEE THEMSELVES AS PART OF AND RESPONSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

FRANCISCAN LEADERS WHO BUILD COMMUNITY THE COMMUNITY IS ABOUT: SINGLE PURPOSE JOYFUL LOOKS SWEET CONVERSATION DELIGHTFUL AFFECTION

THE RULE “WHEREVER THE BROTHERS MAY BE AND MEET ONE ANOTHER, LET THEM SHOW THAT THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY. LET EACH ONE CONFIDENTLY MAKE KNOWN HIS NEED TO THE OTHER, FOR IF A MOTHER LOVES AND CARES FOR HER SON ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, HOW MUCH MORE DILIGENTLY MUST SOMEONE LOVE AND CARE FOR HIS BROTHER ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT!”

BUILDING COMMUNITY IS A COMMAND FROM THE GOSPEL IT ENSURES THE MISSION OF THE COMMUNITY, WHEN THE “LEADER” OR FOUNDER IS GONE.

EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES GAVE WITNESS TO THE TYPE OF COMMUNITY THAT JESUS & FRANCIS WISHED FOR: “THE WHOLE GROUP OF THOSE BELIEVED WERE OF ONE HEART AND SOUL…THERE WAS NOT A NEEDY PERSON AMONG THEM”

REFLECT ON COMMUNITIES YOU BELONG? FAMILY CONREGATIONS ORGANIZATIONS SCHOOLS BUSINESSES ??? ARE THEY OF ONE HEART & SOUL??? ARE THERE “NEEDY PEOPLE” IS THERE DISUNITY

BUILDING COMMUNITY MEETINGS: 1. ARE ALL PARIES INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN FORMING AGENDA? 2. DO PEOPLE LEAVE FEELING THEY HAVE BEEN LISTENED TO? 3. IS THE DISCUSSION FOCUSED ON ISSUES OR PROBLEM-SOLVING, NOT PERSONALITIES? 4. ARE THE DELIBERATIONS INCLUSIVE? 5. DO PARTICPANTS OWN THE DECISION AND FEEL ACCOUNTABLE FOR RESULTS?

BUILDING COMMUNITIES MEETINGS: 6. ARE THERE TIMES FOR CELEBRATION? DO THE MEETINGS FOCUS ON THE VISION OR MISSION OF THE GROUP?

BUILDING COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE: THEY ARE A KEY TO BUILDING COMMUNITY. THEY SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE. FRANCISCAN LEADERS NOURISH AND FACILITATE CELEBRATIONS.

SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES WE ALL HAVE THE NEED AND DESIRE FOR REAL RELATIONSHIPPEOPLE ARE HEALTHIER, WISER, FREER, AND MORE FULLY ALIVE IN COMMUNITY. FRANCIS KNEW THAT THE CREATION OF COMMUNITY IS A CHALLENGE THAT ALL FRANCISCAN LEADERS ENCOUNTER.