Falwell plans Christian community

Group, Nov/Dec 2002 by Martin, Stephanie

in the news* biblical discussion starters READY TO GO

LYNCHBURG, Va.-The Rev. Jerry Falwell is planning to develop a Christian community where his church members can spend their entire lives.

Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority, has 4,300 acres of property in central Virginia for the community. He envisions schools, summer camps, recreation centers, a retirement center, and homes for alcoholics and unwed mothers.

Much of the building has already been done. Falwell is now waiting for a federal court to approve his final plans, because Virginia law prohibits churches from owning more than 15 acres of land within a city.

"We have no intentions of building a 'compound'-no wall is going to go up," Falwell says. "If a non-Christian family applied, they would be accepted."

But when asked about homosexual couples living in the community, Falwell says, "That wouldn't work." Although he can't legally keep anyone out, he says homosexuals "wouldn't be comfortable here-all these Christians would be witnessing to them."

Source: The Associated Press

What do you think of Falwell's master-planned Christian community? Does it sound appealing to you? Why or why not? Is living in a Christians-only community a form of separation from the world? If so, is that something for which

Christians should strive? Why or why not? Would people who spent their whole lives in such a place have better lives? miss out on anything important? Explain.

Do you think there would be fewer problems, such as crime and neighborhood disputes, in such a community? Why or why not? Would there be much need for homes for alcoholics and unwed mothers? Why or why not?

Would you expect many non-Christians to be interested in living in Falwell's community? Why or why not? Do you agree with Falwell that all the "witnessing" would make people such as homosexuals uncomfortable living there? Why or why not?

Do you think Christian faith-sharing would be more effective in a secluded community or in the "outside world"? Explain. From your experience, what evangelism method is more effective: explicitly professing the gospel message, or just letting non-Christians see how you live? Explain.

Would you ever live in a Christians-only community if one were built near you? Why or why not? What would be the advantages of living there? the disadvantages?

What temptations do you face to conform to the worldliness around you? Do you try to distance yourself from the world? If so, how?

Scripture links: Exodus 23:31-33; Psalm 133; Acts 2:42-- 47; 4:32-35; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Peter 2:11-12; and 1 John 2:15-17.

Stephanie Martin is a free-lance writer and editor in Colorado. She writes weekly Breaking News discussion starters for grOUP's online resource MinistryandMedia.com. Go to www.MinistryandMedia.com for a free tour of the site.