Walking together as a community of people requires a choice. Choosing what is best for the greater good over what is best for me. That can be hard a choice to make in a culture that is so hell bent on teaching that my wants and need are more important. Choosing others is the heart of a SERVANT.

When I was at Off-The-Map in Seattle in 2000, after one of the main sessions we were discussing the need for churches to be community ie. walking together in covenant relationship. I remember one guy clearly saying he didn't need, or want for that matter, that kind of community as he already had his family and that kept him busy already and anything else would have complicated his life further.

My response (on the inside) was of disbelief, but it is 2003 and I have come to realise there are a lot of people who do not want or need community. It is a difficult road to walk that requires a strong commitment to the people who are walking the same road.

There is a lot of talk about the form missional communities should take. Creative worship, candles, liturgy, art, leaderful, leaderless, open mic, celtic prayer etc etc. All this is valuable and important to continue to explore but I am stuck on getting people excited about being a servant.

The life of a servant is not glamerous, exciting, and has no promise of anything much except seeing the joy in others as they are served. I have not come across to many people as yet who are wanting to pursue community "for the sake of this world" because there is a still small voice that emerges saying "what about me".

Is the heart of a servant "born or made" is it "nature or nurture" ? Jesus made it clear there was a cost involved in following him. Why did the disciples choose to the road and others didn't? Why do I get excited about the story and others read the same story and don't care to much about it? How do I get people excited about a story of suffering?

I would love to hear your thoughts.