““And third, we wanted people to comprehend the inevitable struggles of “life together” as a means that God uses in order to form us. The question wasn’t whether or not we would disappoint them; it was what they would do with that disappointment when it happened. Would it drive them away from community, or would it deepen their commitment to see the life of Jesus worked out among us? Would it skew their view of God, or would it drive them into his arms? Would they learn to address the pain they were feeling as a result of others’ words and actions, or would they remain silent, growing ever more bitter? We use this mantra regularly to help people not only to have a realistic view of community, but also to have a formation view of what happens in community, especially some of the harder parts. As people come to your church, remind them of the potential costs and pains of community, and encourage them toward formation even through the letdowns, frustrations and disappointments that will surely occur.””
