Unexpected Gifts: Discovering the Way of Community Kindle Edition

Unexpected Gifts: Discovering the Way of Community “In true community, failures give us the chance to choose people over principles.” -Chris HeuertzThis book wasn’t exactly what I expected when I ordered it, but I believe it was exactly what I needed… an unexpected gift. Indeed.I have been interested in the idea and the practice of true community for quite some time. I believe it [community] has been one of the things I have most longed for in the course of my Christian experience. It is for this reason that I am drawn to books and writers who share their experiences; I’m learning as I go and learning as I continue to search. I am also aware of the potential for romanticizing a dream and making it something that it often is not, although my awareness does not preclude me from being guilty of being idealistic about my passion for community. This is why Chris’ book has been an Unexpected Gift to me.I’ve read a lot on the topic of Christian community and while there are often disclaimers that would caution the reader about not realizing the challenges faced by people sharing their life together, the stories are mostly shared in positive light. This isn’t exactly the case with Heuertz’s approach. I encountered something more akin to a confessional. I think this was a good thing. One only take a look at or a listen to the chapter titles and I think a certain picture begins to emerge: Failure, Doubt, Insulation, Isolation, Transition, The Unknown Self, Betraying the Community, Incompatibility, Ingratitude, Grief, and Restlessness. Do these chapter titles sound like the ingredients of Gift? Herein lays the beauty of this book.Community is challenging if not outright difficult. While I have not experienced the level of Community (in a Christian context) as shared by Heuertz in Unexpected Gifts, I’ve been part of community in the context of other institutions (military, athletics, and other). The stories and struggles shared by Chris are sobering, but they are also inviting as they put into words the path of transformation and self-emptying discovery of what Christian love really looks like.Every part of this book was a joy for me, but there were several chapters that spoke to me at a very deep level; chapter five, Transitions, was one of them. Changes in life, departures from friends, and differences in philosophy of life are among a few of the transitions that have occurred in my own life. None of these transitions have been easy and I have made mistakes, it seems, in the course of each one and this is one of the reasons I connected with this chapter so much. Reconciliation and restoration, patience, gentleness, and understanding are all virtues that should be a part of every transition of life—Chris speaks with rich wisdom on this subject.Betraying Community and Incompatibility were two more deeply moving chapters for me as they spoke closely to my own experiences with various transitions in my life. As I have said, this is a unique approach to describing the beauty of Community. By taking some of the dirty, misshapen, rocky objects from the muck of the earth, Heuertz shows how patience and perseverance along with a gentle touch can turn those castaway misshapen objects into the most beautiful of gems. These are the unexpected gifts of community.This is a wonderful book; at times, it was difficult to read, but that was because I was lost in my own reflections or wiping away my tears. Thanks Chris.

Relationships, known also as Community are essential for abundant and vibrant life. Grasping that is crucial but understanding how community is fraught with minefields is also important. Christopher Heuertz paints a realistic picture of the joys and sorrows implicit with authentic community making. The entire book faces honestly the perils of living with others and the demanding nature of authentic community as we see ourselves through the eyes of others. I have recently stepped away from communal life after almost 30 years leading congregations. I stepped away in need of some clarity about the value and worth of what my life has been engaged with over the years, was it worth it, is it worth it? The chapters on Insulation: Forgetting the Fragrance, Isolation: Re-membering the Baby, and Transition: Thirty Letters and a Box of Wooden Planks were healing and transforming for me. This excerpt was one of many insightful and helpful portions of Heuertz' work . . ."Even when transitions in our relationships are necessary, they aren't easy. Though hard decisions sometimes have to be made, the decisions and subsequent transitions don't reduce the impact, no do they scrub the pain away. Moving on is never easy, and even when these kinds of decisions are made, it sometimes seems as though the conversations are never closed. 'What ifs' and 'remember whens' are sprinkled into conversations, prodding at nostalgia and regret. Painful reminders erupt when you're not invited to a wedding or a dinner party or when someone who always used to call on your birthday is silent or absent. When you've invested in a relationship that undergoes a transition, even one that is necessary, processing the adjustments gets harder and harder over time. Haunting memories cause new kinds of loneliness."And then Heuertz says things like this . . . "Life has a way of beating us into new versions of ourselves. These emerging versions of self, when dynamic and open to change, can't always stay in communities or relationships that once supported us but now may stifle our growth." When I read that given the last few years of my life, I was able to say bingo. Heuertz material had me saying bingo much of the time to my own joys, disappointments, hurts, and efforts at community. Unexpected Gifts indeed.

When I started reading this book, I thought, "Oh no, another disorganized writer." But Huertz pulls it together so it all makes sense (for the most part). A thought-provoking read, though in spots I think he;s reaching a bit. My one major criticism is the use of in-your-face examples of poverty and violence. Maybe that's okay for those who have been sheltered. Maybe it works to get their attention. But I spent time in Sri Lanka during the war there, and things like his description of Cambodia's killing fields triggered me.

My favorite book by Christopher Heuertz. I read it in one sitting on an 8-hour flight. If you like it, get his newest book The Sacred Enneagram.

Excellent!! Nice flow, easy read yet deep processes of community and the surprises therein... don’t give up!

Chris Heuertz is vulnerable, honest and beautifully raw in this amazing book. This book put words to the feelings and thoughts experiences I have personally encountered for myself in community. This book is a necessary for those attempting to live out "authentic community". Honestly anyone and everyone can benefit from reading it. Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful! Well Done Chris!

this is a wonderful book that will challenge you and push you further in your conversation about the gifts and challenges of being in community as well as help you look at your individual participation and responsibilities when it comes to being part of community. really great read. i highly recommend it.