christian community is an group of people intentionally:
a. sharing resources with each other and their neighbors (food, homes, money, abilities, etc.)
b. practicing spiritual disciplines together (prayer, singing, bible study, etc)

community is important because it:
a. refines us and exposes our sin and weaknesses (similar to marriage)
b. causes us to liver simpler and be more generous with our resources
c. breaks us out of our individualistic, isolated lives and mindsets (it is just more fun to share life with folks)

i moved to the new center of detroit, 1.5 miles north of wsu in 2006 and relocated from southfield, mi. where i grew up.

i have lived in community with five others for 3.5 years (a married couple, their two year old son, a single man, and a single woman)

shane claiborne, bob lupton, and john perkins were some influential authors that inspired me to be amongst the poor and relocate. many scripture passages inspired me as well: deut. 10:18-19 and isa. 58 to name a couple

The best way that i have connected with my neighbors is through coaching high school boys basketball in a detroit church rec league. most of the boys on my team are from my neighborhood or grew up in my neighborhood. besides that, my neighbors have been overall really friendly and hospitable (more so than i expected)

I don't think living in community is a fad, but a slow growing movement. it is in part a reaction to our culture's focus on materialism and individualism and in part a reaction to many of our churches' neglect of the poor. (and besides that, urban centers are a whole lot of fun with all the activities, opportunities, and different groups of people in such close proximity)

What steps should we take from this becoming a passing fad? let us focus on the word of god. the early church's example of redistributing their wealth, and god's constant command to provide for the orphan, widow, foreigner, imprisoned, and the sick are great motivators. partnering together and doing this in community is usually more fun and the most effective way of doing it.