Grace Conrad Ms.

Fuentes English 11/06/13 The Reformists

There are many different views all across the globe on religion. Some worship statues, some pray to unseen gods, and then there are some who believe in absolutely nothing at all. Whether you are Muslim or Atheist, it is your duty to respect people for their differences, and this includes religious views. People believe in so many different things, and have different rituals and ways of doing things. This ethnography will be focusing on one specific discourse community. There are many different discourse communities surrounding us. Chances are that you yourself may be involved in one as well. What exactly is a discourse community you may ask? Well its somewhat of a broad term. A discourse community is a group of people who share a set of discourses, understood as basic values and assumptions, and ways of communicating about those goals . (1) Discourse is simply communication of thought by words, talk, or communication. (2) A discourse community can be a group of nurses all working towards one goal in a hospital, a team of basketball players, a group of kids in karate, etc. As mentioned previously there are many types of discourse communities. A discourse community is a specific group in a community of practice, meaning the community of practice is much more general. For example, basketball players

community of practice is sports, but specifically their discourse community is basketball. Karates community of practice is martial arts as a whole, and nurses could be the entire hospital. Now look back at religion. Christianity is going to be the community of practice this paper will focus on. There are many types of Christians, labeled as denominations. There are Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, Nondenominationalists, and many more. The specific discourse community you will look at will be a small group of what is known as reformed Christians, or Reformists, at a little church called Holy Trinity Reformed Church. So what do Reformists believe and do? A member of this church, Mr. Rich, was questioned about the community and revealed the following information. Reformists are similar to Catholics, and yet very different. That is why we are called Reformists. Our history is that we were once a part of the Holy Catholic Church, but at one point broke away and reformed our ways of faith. While we still keep many traditions with the way we run our ceremonies, our beliefs vary greatly. He was asked what specifically is the same, and what is different. He explained that the similarities were kneeling on the ground when praying, only singing classic hymns, baptism with sprinkling water on head (as opposed to being dipped in a pool or river), weekly communion every Sunday (in which they break real bread and drink real wine), and having a confession of sins. He stated that the differences were his church did not believe in confessing their sins to a pope, they do not believe in the use of Holy Water, and they do not use robes

and candles, just semi-casual dress wear for everyone. It is easy to see the similarities, as well as great differences. Taking that information it is very simple to see what keeps them together. They share not only the same religion, Christianity, but the same specific beliefs, ideas, expressions, and actions within that faith. In fact, the members of Trinity Reformed Church refer to themselves as a family. In their eyes, their connection and shared faith is so strong between each other and God, it unites them as one people. Mr. Rich was then questioned more about the people within his church. What does it take to be considered a part of that community? Are some people within the church considered above others? Are some people more holy or more sinful than others or are they all equal because they are part of the same community? How do the people communicate with each other? What makes them feel so united? He answered, Anyone who wants to hear the Word of God on a Sunday morning is welcome in our doors. It doesnt matter your race, sexual orientation, beliefs, who you are or where youve been. Everyones welcome. If you have been baptized and havent been kicked out of another church, then you are most welcome to the Lords Table when we partake in communion. To be an official member however, you must be baptized and say some vows in front of the congregation. He explained that no one is considered above anyone else in the sense of being more or less sinful or holy within the church. They have three men

established as the elders of the church who are the church leaders. They are not considered any more perfect than other members of the church because of their positioning. Rather they are seen as more wise with Biblical knowledge. They have more authority and wisdom than the rest of the congregation, however the community views everyone as equal sinners trying to be better servants for Christ. Mr. Rich also stated As far as what you asked about the communication, we pass out a liturgy every week, like a bulletin, that includes a prayer list and updates on families within our church. The pastor always has announcements before the sermon, and we also have emails that go around to everyone with updated prayer lists and calendars of upcoming events. After completing the interview the goals of the church became quite clear and precise. They want to grow together in spirit as a family of Christ. They do use some language they may be foreign to those who arent involved in a religion, or this type of religion. Communion, for example, is the belief of sharing bread and wine among a group of people in remembrance of Jesus for dying on a cross. Confessions of Sins is when the church gets on their knees and recites of prayer of repentance, or asking forgiveness for things theyve done wrong. Liturgy is their word for bulletin, which is just a folded up paper saying the order of things for the sermon, and includes a copy of the prayer list inserted for prayer. This group of believers is interesting and different. They are a less common denomination of Christianity. They are modern in the sense of being reformed

and doing certain things their own way, and yet they are respectfully traditional to the Christian belief. This discourse community is very close with another, and this can be seen easily. The group makes it an important effort to know each and every one of its members. They know not only their names, but also their likes, family, struggles, and daily life. The pastor loves them all and prays for every one of them. They share a connection that goes beyond a common religious belief, and this is a very important factor in their discourse. Its important for a successful discourse community to not only have a common interest or goal, but to really have a connection with one another. Since it is a community, the people need to have some kind of friendly chemistry for their not to be tension between members or struggling with power. There also needs to be a reliable authority. Holy Trinity Reformed Church is indeed a discourse community within the Christian community of practice. They have a strong connection with one another and various ways of successfully communicating. This is a key to success for any discourse community.

Citation Page (Author Unlisted) Discourse Community Ask.com Encyclopedia. Ask.com. (Random House Dictionary) Define Discoure dictionary.com