Community Quote by Jean Vanier
““Maybe today some people see opposition between, on the one hand, a seemingly barren, old, institutional church, cut off from the world, looking after buildings, and worried about membership and attendance, and on the other hand, new communities, filled with life, enthusiasm, risk, openness and welcome, concerned about the big issues of the world - injustice, torture, peace, disarmament, ecology, a better distribution of wealth, the liberation of women, drug addiction, AIDS, people with handicaps, etc. . . . But we know that every community, with time, risks closing in on itself and becoming an empty institution governed by laws. The new communities of today can become the closed up, barren institutions of tomorrow.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address on church renewal, 2005
Institutions risk becoming stagnant; new movements can later become rigid if they lose openness.
In simple terms: Both old and new groups can become closed and ineffective.
Key Takeaway
Maintain openness and purpose over time.
Themes
institutional stagnation
community dynamics
change management
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- nonprofit governance
- community building
- faith activism
Key Concepts
ecology
social justice
institutional theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions stay adaptable?
- What practices keep new communities vibrant?
A Different Perspective
Without vigilance, any group may become self‑preserving and lose relevance.
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