Stuffing

healing communities

I have been thinking a lot about what makes a community a healing one.
In short, I think a healing community looks like Jesus. Encouraging, supportive but direct. Based on truth. Safe.
I think that's a good direction to point.

How does a healing community respond to a member who has committed a "big sin" (Big in the eyes of the world- I believe theologically God sees all sin in the same rank). How does the community heal them, support them and encourage them? If it is big to the degree that the justice system is involved then they will pay their debt to society. Do they have to pay a debt to the community as well?
The community may suffer because of the individual. The mosque that the potential car bomber in Portland attended was burned by arson after the story got out. There is no indication that the mosque knew of the plan but they suffered because of it.
So, then there are 2 parts to the healing process. Healing of the individual and healing of the community. Then there is the re-integration of the individual into the community.
I thought this song went with the post: Stained Glass Masquerade
I am still pondering but now I need to sleep!

posted by Aphra @ 11/28/2010 10:39:00 PM