First Experiences with Community

What was your first significant community experience?

My first community experience was with the church. “I grew up in the church,” is what I tell others because it shaped who I was and has left remnants in who I am now. Our family of six attended Sunday services, celebrated many baptisms, led inductive Bible studies, played backyard volleyball in the summers, and communed over delicious meals. I vividly remember the relationships forged during that time, which were so vital to my emotional development. I can also remember eagerly volunteering to serve the church community as an expression of belonging. For a number of years, the church community provided us with identity, purpose, and inspiration.

Later in life, classroom teaching illuminated the power of nurturing a community with a group of children who had a very clear and common purpose: learning. Those teaching years also showed me how important it was to implement strategies for building a community of thriving 9-year-olds. A combination of structure, a bit of guidance, and room for organic human interaction are a recipe for success.

I’ve since been part of communities based on interest (birding), life stage (parenting), or professional development (AI skills), just to name a few. In most cases, I was drawn to a community due to a need or want.

Matrix of Community Experience

Imagine a beehive matrix. There are a limitless number of interconnected hexagonal cells, each containing something of value. Structurally, a hive’s architecture exemplifies form and function, with its tightly-knit network of hexagonal cells. It is a marvel of strength and interconnectedness. Each cell not only stands firm on its own but also bolsters the cells around it, creating a resilient and adaptable system. This interconnected structure ensures that the whole hive can withstand challenges and thrive, much like a well-knit community.

Community Starts with C

"Community Starts with C" will scratch the surface of Community DNA by touching on ten concepts, each representing a single cell in the greater matrix. I bet you can think of one or two right now as you’re reading this. Unlike the rest of the book, where you'll see definitions of c-words, I won't define Community for us. One of the reasons is that Community is hard to capture in one or two discrete sentences. It refuses to be contained or concretely defined. Community is a living, breathing, almost amorphous thing that means something a little different to everyone. No two Communities are alike.

As you journey through each chapter, consider each c-word as a unique cell in our beehive matrix. Reflect on how these cells connect with your own experiences and ideas about community. Think about the traits, structures, and outcomes of the communities you have been part of. How do they interconnect and support each other? What other c-words can you think of that would fit into your personal matrix of community experiences?

By visualizing community as a beehive matrix, you'll appreciate the beautiful complexity and interdependence of community life. Each chapter you read will add a new cell to this matrix, helping you understand the intricate connections that make communities vibrant and resilient. Through this process of cross-pollinating ideas, you will gain fresh lenses through which to view your past and future experiences in Community.