Community: Growing Together

[T]hen make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:2-4 (NIV)

ommunity is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a unified body of individuals: such as a group of people with a common characteristic.” Community derives its origin to the Latin, communis or communitas, which implies the idea and thought of commonness or the sharing of a groups of people.

Paul speaks to the idea of community in his letter to the church at Philippi. He implores the church body to be unified, to have a sense of oneness bonded together through agape love (an unmerited, unearned, godlike love). This thought is best emulated through selflessness

- putting the needs of others above your own, but not forsaking yourself. Rather, having the ability to lovingly give up our own personal preferences for the sake of unity within the community.

As we embark on another academic year at Veritas, our commonality as the body of Jesus Christ, is the foundation of our community. Jesus is ultimately the center of our unity, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will endeavor to have the sense of oneness that Paul so eagerly encouraged the church at Philippi to have. So as we walk into our 20th Academic Year as a school, let us be bigger than just a place for academia, but rather, let us truly be a community.