Is Community a Cliché?

Have you ever heard a word or phrase used over and over again to the point where that particular word or expression loses all its meaning? After a certain time, our brain seems to shut out clichéd words, and when we use these words we feel somewhat insincere or lazy.

Community is a word you hear quite frequently on this campus - community in the classroom, in chapel, in the residence hall, in the cafeteria, at athletic events, etc. Community is one of the foundations of Northwest Christian University. From the moment you step on our campus you are matched with a peer advisor and academic advisor. If you move on campus you are matched with a Resident Assistant. If you are on athletic team you are matched with a team chaplain. Almost immediately you are given a multitude of resources to help you connect with the NCU campus and the local community.

But why do we emphasize community at NCU? Why is community such a huge deal? Why do we preach community so passionately?

Because Christ call us to community.

Sure, we have numerous studies showing correlations between student success and student involvement, however it is the call from our Lord - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit a community of three in one - that is of greatest importance.

Though we are many, we are one. We are pieces of the body of Christ. We have our different functions but together we have one purpose. The Apostle Paul said it simply in his letter to the Philippians, "Being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others" (2:2-4). NCU exists to love God and love others - the greatest commandment.

As we move into the spring semester after a restful Christmas break, the busyness of university life will resume to normal. Students will return to the classroom, to practice, to their internship, and back to their room in the residence hall. We in the Office of Student Life will continue our shameless commitment to create a Christ-centered community at NCU.

By Reid McCormick
Area Residence Coordinator
Northwest Christian University