2 Timothy 2 and Thinking about Community

NIV vs.23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
Msg God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil's trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.

So I read that and still I wrestle....
Let him who cannot be alone beware of community...Let him who is not in community beware of being alone. Deitrich Bonhoeffer from Life Together

In small group last nite a couple of guys said they felt 'safe' in our home. Guys who seem to have left their communities and come to this one. Know some who have left the community I know angry and bitter...some who leave who aren't.... but I think... hell I don't know what I think...

What is community if not a place where people know you and your struggles......is it good that they feel safe or should we be challenging them? How do you challenge someone in love? Can you challenge another too much? Can you make another too comfortable?

I was looking for community...I know or think I know what community can do in and for a journey...but really in all seriousness.....I don't know anything anymore but that doesn't negate the tension that comes up when I think on these issues...Larry Crabb says 'brokenness is admitting you were wrong'.....I think I am becoming broken about what I think community is.

These are the questions in my heart this morning. So of course I will be wrestling with Him about it but wondering if you wouldn't here let me know what your ideas about community are. I guess asking you to admit your brokenness in this area as well...maybe together in our brokenness He will guide us.....