what is an insula?
in the first few centuries of christianity, people lived in small villages. at first, the basic dwelling unit consisted of one large room which opened onto the street with a second story on top of it. behind the house was a large yard, sometimes with an additional room that served as a storeroom or kitchen. over the years, additional units were added to this basic family unit; thus, a dense cluster of dwellings, devoid of planning, came into being. as a family grew, they built additional rooms so that they could all live together. this was a true community at its root.
want to thrive?
insulae didn't always thrive - it wasn't automatic. even with good intentions, the insula could fail to flourish. while insulae vary in type, they need to share a few components that enable them to thrive:
- being on the same page - all of the members of an insula should have about the same expectations, whether that means deep biblical discussion or just getting together to watch some movies
- trust - healthy insulae agree to take risks, always share, trust, and assume trustworthiness
- responsibility - in a healthy insula, each member takes on a portion of responsibility and everyone is committed - nobody is a bystander. everyone contributes time, hospitality and service - and is also willing to receive from everyone else
- challenging environment - a thriving insula welcomes rich discussion where different ideas are discussed and debated. the members are committed to challenging each other to change behavior when appropriate: members are held accountable.
- compassion - the members of a healthy, thriving insula care deeply for each other and are willing to mobilize quickly when one of the members is in need. they help meet spiritual, emotional, tangible and social needs of their fellow insula members. everyone participates in the giving and receiving of care within and outside the insula.
if you are interested in joining an insula or getting more information, please contact one of the following people: