Round Table Community Model

I am currently reading a community development reader required for one of my classes. As I go on, I cannot help but reflect on the theories and relate a lot of ideas to what I do and to how we are doing in our communities (that slows my reading a bit but I guess, that’s why we read—to reflect and relate).

Most communities today are very structured and follow a leader-follower model. It seems that a community cannot effectively function
without someone having an authority over everyone in the group. But I believe that’s how our society is built; even families, the smallest unit, function it that same way. The father usually seats at the head of the table to signify authority and power.

But today, Upper Room Disciplines writer Deborah Appler recalled how King Arthur built a round table for his knights. Since it is round, it had neither head nor tail and the knights sat in equal positions. It may have been imperfect but it is an example that we could apply in community-building. I also like how Da Vinci portrayed the Last Supper as having Jesus sitting equally with his disciples at one side of the table (even more beautiful with the round table Last Supper rendition of Mauricio Rizo).

The round table, even with a leader or facilitator, is a model that encourages full participation and more open communication among community members because they can view themselves as equals. Community development could be more genuine when people come together and be heard. Jesus exemplified that model to his disciples. He constantly asked them of feedbacks from their ministries and seat with them at the table. Jesus valued his disciples insights.

Individual experiences and stories are important in establishing relationships among community members—something that we often neglect in our groups. Sometimes, we fail to listen and look at each other’s faces or eyes when we talk. Accomplishing programs and events become more important than people and relationships. More often than not, we measure success by quantity and not from the testimonies of people who became a community even for a short period of time.

What kind of community do you belong to? How would you describe your experiences?