What does ‘community’ mean? Does it mean everybody has to know everybody? Before we answer that, it may be good to consider what is called Dunbar’s Number. According to ContactsPlus, Dunbar’s Number states that 150 is the number of individuals with whom any one person can maintain stable relationships.

However, it has also been noted that Dunbar had two other important numbers: an inner core of about 5 people to whom we devote about 40 percent of our available social time and 10 more people to whom we devote another 20 percent. If you are doing the math along with me, an expanded view of Dunbar’s Number tells us that we devote nearly two-thirds of our time to just 15 people.

So, what does that say about ‘community’ and church? To me, it says that most churches aren’t really one community, but a network of communities. (It also tells me the Wesleys were on to something by setting up the Classes in the early Methodist movement.) How well these communities function as a unified network depends on what brings them together. Some would call this a Shared Vision.

I would ask you to pray for members of St. Andrew’s Administrative Council as they ponder and work on what it means to be a part of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, and how we can put ‘feet’ to a shared vision of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.