Cell 6 — Street/Stewardship

“Am I building well?”

Common goal project (1-3 months), meet needs, begin attending city council.

Scripture anchors (29)

Acts 6:1-6 the first deacons — organized local relief with named responsibility
Nehemiah 3 each family rebuilding its own section of the wall — the street project in one chapter
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 two are better than one; the threefold cord — collaboration over solitary effort
Romans 12:4-8 many members, differing gifts — the division of labor in a serving community
Exodus 18:13-26 Jethro's counsel — divide the burden, appoint able men over tens and hundreds
Exodus 35:20-29 everyone whose heart stirred him brought the LORD's contribution — the freewill project
Exodus 36:2-7 the people bring more than enough — and are restrained from bringing
Numbers 11:16-17 seventy elders to bear the burden with you
Deuteronomy 22:1-4 your neighbor's ox fallen down — you shall help him lift it up
Nehemiah 2:17-18 come, let us build the wall — and they said, let us rise up and build
Nehemiah 4:6 the people had a mind to work
Nehemiah 5:1-13 Nehemiah confronts the neighbors exploiting neighbors — the project's own justice
Isaiah 58:9-12 you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in
Jeremiah 29:7 seek the welfare of the city — the reason a Christian sits in the council chamber
Amos 5:15 establish justice in the gate — the civic assembly named
Matthew 20:25-28 it shall not be so among you; whoever would be great must be your servant
John 13:12-15 washing the disciples' feet — an example, that you also should do
Acts 2:44-45 they had all things in common, distributing as any had need
Acts 11:27-30 the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief — organized aid
Romans 15:25-27 the contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 one body, many members — the division of labor in a serving community
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 on the first day of every week, each of you put something aside — organized, regular giving
2 Corinthians 8:13-15 your abundance supplying their need, that there may be fairness
Galatians 6:2 bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ
Ephesians 4:11-16 each part working properly, the body builds itself up in love
1 Thessalonians 5:14 admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak
James 2:15-16 go in peace, be warmed and filled — without giving what is needed
1 John 3:17-18 closes his heart against his brother in need — let us love in deed and in truth
Psalm 133:1 how good and pleasant when brothers dwell in unity

Where the two authorities pull apart

Basil's radical stewardship vs. the founders' property-rights framework

The Founders 2

The Founderspublic domainlocated in source

This was much spoken of as a useful piece and gave rise to a project which soon followed it, of forming a company for the more ready extinguishing of fires and mutual assistance in removing and securing of goods when in danger. Associates in this scheme were presently found, amounting to thirty. Our articles of agreement oblig’d every member to keep always in good order and fit for use, a certain number of leather buckets with strong bags and baskets (for packing and transporting of goods), which were to be brought to every fire; and we agreed to meet once a month and spend a social evening together, in discoursing and communicating such ideas as occurred to us upon the subject of fires as might be useful in our conduct on such occasions.

Benjamin Franklin, The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. I Autobiography, Letters and Misc. Writings 1725-1734 THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY › 13.: Humility

Scripture anchor Galatians 6:9-10

Why it is here

The cell's phase1 founders seed — the fire company — in Franklin's own account: thirty associates, each keeping buckets and bags 'in good order and fit for use,' meeting monthly. A household-scale venture serving the community, with 'household-scale to civic-scale' (cell vocabulary) visible in the sequel: companies multiplied 'till they became so numerous as to include most of the inhabitants.' Anchored to Galatians 6:9-10, do good to all.

The Founderspublic domainlocated in source

11. Do you think of any thing at present in which the Junto may be serviceable to mankind, to their country, to their friends, or to themselves? 12. Hath any deserving stranger arrived in town since last meeting, that you have heard of? And what have you heard or observed of his character or merits? And whether, think you, it lies in the power of the Junto to oblige him, or encourage him as he deserves? 13. Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up, whom it lies in the power of the Junto any way to encourage?

Benjamin Franklin, The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. I Autobiography, Letters and Misc. Writings 1725-1734 CORRESPONDENCE AND MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS › VII: RULES FOR A CLUB ESTABLISHED FOR MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT

Scripture anchor Hebrews 13:16

Why it is here

The Junto's standing queries (seed): a small circle asking every meeting how it 'may be serviceable to mankind,' which stranger to oblige, which young beginner to encourage. The betterment project institutionalized as a weekly question — the founders' counterpart to Clement's 'inquire oneself who deserves to receive kindness.' Anchored to Hebrews 13:16 (do not neglect doing good and sharing).