life together/apart exploring Christian community during social distancing

T O A C C O M P A N Y L i f e T o g e t h e r : S u m m a r i e s a n d A D i s c u s s i o n o f q u e s t i o n s c o m p i l e d b y C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p T h e R e v . C l a i r e B r o w n b y D i e t r i c h B o n h o e f f e r BONHOEFFER, 1924, (ART RESOURCE, N.Y.)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a minister, professor, theologian, and anti-Nazi resistor whose work offers pristine systematic theology, insight into Christian pacifism and political engagement, and reflection on the responsibility of the church as the body of Christ during a time of social upheaval.

It is not at all reasonable to equivocate the conditions of shelter in place orders under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic to the experience of the pastors and community under Nazi rule. This discussion guide is not meant to be interpreted as such a comparison. mission, values, and practices are being This classic Christian text offers rich wisdom carefully considered. into the nature and activities of faith What does it mean to serve, to share one bread communities. It is a reflection on the two year and cup, to worship together in spirit and truth, experimental underground seminary which when we cannot gather? What becomes of the Bonhoeffer led to train pastors for the Eucharist and baptism, when physical distance Confessing Church, a denomination outspoken is the sign of our grace and care for each other, against Hitler. and sharing food, water, space, and touch Bonhoeffer's thoughts on the essential nature of might convey danger instead of holy presence? Christian community are particularly valuable in What can we learn about praying together, a time when churches and Christians are kept working together, and proclaiming God's Word from physically gathering. Unable to worship to each other across this distance, when our together as usual, and apart from much of the community connection is more evident and sacramental life of the church, our identity, vital than ever before? Overview

CHAPTER 1: COMMUNITY

Christians experience community only through their mutual connection to Jesus Christ. We are called to meet one another as we are, not as an ideal of what community ought to be, and with thankfulness to God for the gift of one another.

CHAPTER 2: THE DAY WITH OTHERS

The community of believers sharing common life ought to order their days together with prayer, singing, scripture, shared table fellowship, honoring the day's work that each has to do, and interceding for one another.

CHAPTER 3: THE DAY ALONE

In time apart from the community, we have the opportunity to encounter our truest selves and God in solitude. Through silence, prayer, meditation, and intercession for others, we nourish our souls and are able to engage one another fully.

CHAPTER 4: MINISTRY

All Christians are called to minister to one another, particularly the ministries of: holding one's tongue (or right speech), meekness, helpfulness in small and large matters, bearing one another's burdens, and proclaiming God's Word to each other.

CHAPTER 5: CONFESSION AND COMMUNION

Confession of failure and sin to each other keeps us honest, keeps us in line with the truth of our justification in Jesus Christ and not in ourselves, and allows us to build trust and live together in truth and joy. READING NOTES

Interpreting & Applying Texts

It is important not to make false equivalence of our experiences and the context of any historical text, When we seek wisdom from previous generations of theological reflection, we must be mindful of the differences in understanding and context that shape the way we understand God and our faith.

HISTORY POLITICS GENDER

As we read, it is In a time when Nazis Typical of his cultural important to keep in are back in the public context, Bonhoeffer's mind that we have discourse, being writing assumes an modern history's legitimated by the all-male seminary, judgment on Hitler president as a clergy, and theological and the Nazi regime, social/political group, community. He also and can easily hold the political uses exclusively judgment on the engagement of the masculine language resistance and Confessing Church is for God. In this Bonhoeffer's role in it. good guidance. discussion guide, We read charitably, However, we can't gender inclusive understanding that make an over-simplistic language, both for the these Christians were parallel of our political church community and doing their best to be situations and theology, the divine, will be faithful in their but rather take this inserted and context. wisdom as one source designated with for our discernment. brackets. CHAPTER 1 community

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

Psalm 133:1

The Christian community exists only because we are connected in Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection are the source of our grace and justification, and the sustenance of our relationships and fellowship. Through the community of faith, we proclaim and witness Jesus to one another. We speak God's Word to each other, and our bodily presence with each other is how we physically meet and make sense of God's grace. It's easy to take for granted a lot of the ways that we could gather together with our church community, share space, touch one another, share food or drink before the pandemic. What's one way you miss being physically present with other people?

Bonhoeffer cautions against loving our ideal of community more than the reality of God's community. Have you ever struggled with the tension between your expectations of church and the reality of your community? What happened? What did you do?

We don't get to pick and choose the folks we are connected to in Jesus. When have you been in relationship with someone that surprised you? When have you been in community with someone difficult to relate to?

Say a prayer of thanks for the community, family, friends, or church that God has given you. Ask God for wisdom and patience in your community life. CHAPTER 2 the day with others

"To Thee our morning song of praise, To Thee our evening prayer we raise; Thy glory suppliant we adore For ever and for evermore."

Ambrose

This chapter's guidance for a day with others is based on the common worship and practices of seminarians studying with Bonhoeffer at Finkenwalde. For the community constituted by Christ, the ordering of common life and time is in morning, noon, and evening prayers; the psalms; study and reading scripture; singing; work; and table fellowship both at the Eucharist and shared meals. With shelter in place restrictions, the ideas of ordering "the day with others" might not fit with our lives. What practices of faith are part of your daily life or community?

Think of a special meal you've had. What did you eat? Who was there? What were the flavors, sounds, textures? How might God have been present in that table fellowship?

Do you think of your daily work as a vocation, or have a sense of prayerful purpose in your work? If so, how? If not, how might your daily work be a service to God and the community?

What's one practice described in this chapter that you can add into your daily rhythm? CHAPTER 3 the day alone

"Let [the one] who cannot be alone beware of community... Let [the one] who is not in community beware of being alone."

Bonhoeffer

Solitude and silence are the counter- balance to the life with others. Each is necessary for the health of the other, and each is part of a whole person in relationship with other persons and with God. In solitude and silence we have the opportunity to listen for God, to meditate on God's presence around us and the truths of scripture, to pray for our community, and to tend to our own needs and work. In this time alone, though, we are called to faithfulness to God for our own sakes and for the sake of the community. Are silence and solitude typically comfortable or uncomfortable for you? How about during this time of social/physical distancing?

Bonhoeffer describes intercession, praying for others, as simply "to bring our brother [or sister] into the presence of God, to see [them] under the cross of Jesus as a poor human being and sinner in need of grace.” Do you regularly pray for others? How does or how might the practice of seeing others through God's perspective change your relationships?

How do you understand meditation? Are reflection (thinking and praying over concerns or events) or mindfulness (being present to and accepting the present moment) familiar or part of your daily life? W hat's one practice described in this chapter that you can add into Notice how silence and solitude your daily rhythm? feel in your mind and in your body. Ask God to be present. CHAPTER 4 ministry

""There arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be the greatest."

Luke 9:46

Humans have a tendency to assess who is strong and weak, who is in charge or has influence, and how we can be secure. But the age-old discord of power and pride can tear apart a Christian community. Instead, we are called to minister to each other through right and loving speech, meekness (or considering others' needs first), listening, bearing each others' burdens, helping each other with matters large and small, and proclaiming God's love to each other. Do you think of yourself as a minister of the church? Where do you most clearly see your ministry?

How do you balance serving others and caring for yourself during this pandemic? How do you serve others while maintaining good public health practice and protecting your health?

Who are you listening to and bearing burdens for? Who is listening to you and helping bear your burdens?

How do you proclaim, or tell stories, of God's hope and love to the community around you?

Ask God to show you where you are called to ministry today, and where you might need to receive the ministry of others. CHAPTER 5 confession & communion

"The Gospel [says]: You are a sinner, a great desperate sinner; now come, as the sinner that you are, to God who loves you. [God] wants you as you are"

Bonhoeffer

In scripture, we are commanded to confess our sins to other people. This can be frightening and vulnerable. But when we speak the hardest truths about ourselves to trusted people, we can live together in trust and compassion. By confessing, we can acknowledge our need of God's grace to grow us, to hold our community together. In confessing, we look to the loving intervention of Jesus Christ and receive the grace of God in our lives. Have you ever made a confession, either formal to a priest or minister or informal to someone you trust? What was that experience like?

Have you ever heard someone else's confession? What was that experience like?

Where do you need to receive the comfort of God's love and presence in your life?

Bonhoeffer sees the Lord's Supper (communion, Eucharist) as a joyful occasion calling for preparation through confession. How is the sacrament connected to your relationship to others? How do you prepare for Eucharist and worship?

Confess your sins to God and another. Receive assurance of God's love. Go in peace. If you would like to supplement your study of Learn Life Together, check out these videos, books, and articles for further learning about , his writings, and the social and More political climate in which he lived.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Biography by BIOGRAPHIES Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Charles Marsh

Bonhoeffer DOCUMENTARIES Directed by Martin Doblmeier, available on Amazon Prime & LECTURES Bonhoeffer Revisited: From Christology to Politics by Rowan Williams, available at vimeo.com/185978241

"Does Dietrich Bonhoeffer have any relevance today?" by Stephen R. Haynes, tinyurl.com/y7uc63u5 ARTICLES "Dietrich Bonhoeffer prayed, wrote, and resisted Hitler from this house," by Dwight Weingarten, tinyurl.com/y7u7al2g

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1937) OTHER WRITINGS Letters and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (posthumous)