Koinonia?

There are lots of reasons I chose the name of this blog. The google definition of Koinonia is on the left of this blog, however, the definition is really jam packed of some pretty awesome stuff. Koinonia is preached about every once in a while…but sometimes I don’t remember everything I’ve ever learned in church. Maybe you are the same. Anyways, you ready for this? 

Here we go, there are a few main points to the definition. Koinonia over all means Christian community or fellowship…but in a deeper level it means living as a community that is driven to share openly and generously. It is a community that is invested in intentional relationships with others. It is a community dedicated to holy living, growing, and showing radical love. I love it. I think it is beautiful.  The idea of fellowship is at the core of Koinonia. We use the term fellowship a lot. I know the church I was raised in had a fellowship hall. It was a big open room where people would hangout after church to talk and catch up. So, what is fellowship really? Fellowship as it is used in Koinonia; is the act of sharing joy and pain together, being united because of common experience, interest and goals. Fellowship creates a mutual bond which overrides each individuals pride, vanity, and individualism, fulfilling the human yearning for belonging, and companionship. Pretty sweet. Koinonia also has a common unity to strive to overcome brokenness, divisiveness, and ultimately gain wholeness with each of the members. 

 How awesome is that? What would it look like if we could all live in Koinonia? You might be thinking “wow she really wants rainbows and butterflies.” But it is not just that. The concept of overcoming brokenness or sharing in pains together is not pretty. It is not fun. Yet, I think there is a really beautiful and valuable aspect to it. 

As Christians I think we are called to live in community. I also think that college is the perfect time to start being intentional about it. Never again, except maybe in retirement, will we live in such close community with so many of our peers. 

My idea is that this blog would be a place for Koinonia. A place for fellowship in the joys and in the struggles. A place for us to unite because of common experiences. A place to unite because of common goals. A place to fulfill the yearning for belonging. By no means do I think that this blog will have the impact that face to face relationships can have but I want it to be a starting place. A place to think about these concepts and to learn how to live these things out.