How do you define community?

I’m looking forward to starting on another online Bible study with Proverbs 31 Ministries beginning next week. We’ll be using Limitless Life by Derwin L. Gray as the launch pad for our discussions. In preparation for this study we were encouraged to blog about what community means to us.
Here’s how Dictionary.com defines community:
community
[kuh–myoo-ni-tee] Show IPA
noun, plural com·mu·ni·ties.
1.a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.
2.a locality inhabited by such a group.
3.a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists (usually preceded by the ): the business community; the community of scholars.
4.a group of associated nations sharing common interests or a common heritage: the community of Western Europe.
5.Ecclesiastical . a group of men or women leading a common life according to a rule.
Here’s how I define community:
- Community means support – a community is made of a group of individuals with different abilities. When you live in the community you have access to a variety of skills which you yourself don’t posses.
- Community brings challenges – living in community takes work. Sometimes it would be “easier” to live on our own. When you live in community you need to communicate clearly, be willing to share, and sometimes even be willing to be wronged.
- Community means accountability – When you grow up in a small town, you can’t “get away” with too much. If you’re not doing what’s right, someone is going to call you on it or phone your parents about it. When we live in community, we hold each other accountable, because we all want what’s best for the community.
- Community thrives on shared purpose – There has to be a reason for people to do the hard work of living in community. Shared purpose or a common goal provides that reason. When everybody in the community agrees on a common goal, each person is able to contribute to the betterment of the community.
What does community mean to you?
20 Comments

Great job! Now I feel like deleting the link to my blog. I’m new to this and am really feeling like a newbie.
Cheryl,
Please don’t delete yours! We are all in different places and we need to be faithful where we are. I’m glad you’re participating. Give yourself permission to learn and to make mistakes – that’s how we learn best.
Don’t you dare!!! I read your blog and it was great! Keep up the good work… and remember that above all, you are writing for an audience of One!!!
Lauren, P31 OBS blog hop team
Love your definitions of community. Support but challenge… that can be difficult! And a place to thrive… oh, I so need that… Thank you for sharing with us today. Looking forward to growing in community with you!
Lauren, P31 OBS blog hop team
Thanks for stopping by, Lauren. Isn’t it funny how we want support without any challenge? I look forward to growing with you too.
Hi Ruth! I love the four ways you defined community. My favorite two are: Community brings challenges, and Community thrives on shared purpose. It is definitely challenging at times to be a part of a community, especially after a prolonged period of time. Our differences can either drive us apart or make us stronger together. It takes work for the latter but I’m in it for the long haul! 🙂 And shared purpose? Yes! We are united here by a common purpose – to know and be known by an amazing God – in every area of our lives!
Hi Shelly,
Thanks for stopping by. You’re so right about how differences can either make us stronger or drive us apart. I’m glad you’re “in it for the long haul.” 🙂
I love your direct approach to this question! That is the first thing I did too, go straight to the dictionary. I am really excited about this study and being part of the online community once again. I look forward to sharing support, challenges, accountability and purpose with you!
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for stopping by. I love your blog name 🙂 Hopefully we can interact more and get to know each other better.
Great blog! I enjoyed reading it. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Kymmie 🙂
I think that whole community and accountability…or maybe just the word “accountability” scares off a lot of folks and it’s just too easy to stay in our own little world. But the benefits of community far outweigh the fears…or at least I believe they do. It’s nice to know you have friends you can turn to..after all God placed those folks in your path for a reason 🙂 Gotta share those gifts!! Thanks for your post…very nicely written 🙂
Trish (Proverbs 31 Ministries OBS Team)
Thanks, Trish
You’re right. We don’t like to be held accountable. I agree that the benefits outweigh the cost. We just have to be willing to step out in faith. Sometimes it feels like we’re being asked to walk on water like Peter 🙂
Loved your blog today Ruth, and I love how you defined community and your examples. Thanks for participating in this wonderful community of sisters. Hugs. Debbie W. Proverbs 31 Ministries OBS Team
Thanks for stopping by, Debbie 🙂
I’m grateful for the community the online Bible studies provide!
I definitely agree with the accountability definition. We all know the temptations that are out there, and I think that it is important to help each other grow in our relationship with Christ!
Meredith, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. The beauty of community is that others are stronger where we are weak. Community provides protection 🙂
I hadn’t even considered “challenges” in a community. Thank you for sharing that. All too often challenges can carry a negative weight to them, however, I try to ‘enjoy’ them as much as I can, because I will ALWAYS learn something from a challenge.
Audra,
Thanks for stopping by. You’re right, challenge encourages growth. We all benefit when we take the challenges that come and learn from them.
[…] my last post, I shared thoughts about what community means to me. Today I want to take that a step farther and […]