Community: Pixar- "Toy Story"

When Mike and I were in college, one of our professors would lead an evening for students called “Reel Conversations.” He would show a movie and then those that attended would engage in a conversation about what each person saw, where God was in the movie and the different lessons they learned. Mike and I continued this in my first ministry position out of college. We would take our youth to different movies and then have a conversation about the movie afterward. We were always impressed by how much we would all learn together. We were in awe of how God would show-up and reveal parts of his nature within the movies.

We have been on a Pixar kick this summer. We all enjoy Pixar movies! It has been fun to see how much they have changed throughout the years: graphically, storylines, and with animation. We recently watched Toy Story 2, 3 and 4. Yes, we left out Toy Story 1. I know it is a classic but its animation, although innovative for its time, now scares me. Anyway, as we watched these three movies, I could not help but think about the A.R.C. value: community. A.R.C. defines community as coming together with other people. Toy Story gives us all the glimpse of the fullness of community: the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful.

I know I have said this before, but I love people and I love being in community with people. However, no matter the community I am in, fear, pain, competition, acceptance., adventure, and fun- all tend to be a part of community. The Toy Story series highlights all of these and the way that these characteristics shape and form everyone that is within the community. New community can be scary. However, the transition into new community, I believe, has a lot to do with whether the community is open to new. What are the secret rules within that group? How does the group see themselves? Is new a place for growth or is it a place of fear? Are there perceived threats? What is the groups experience new people in the past?

In Toy Story they needed their “fearless” leader Woody, to approve, be the bridge, and to encourage those around him that they were safe. Woody becomes a person of peace for the newbies but also a person of peace for the oldies. Both parties needed someone to tell them: It is all going to be ok. Both parties needed a coach to help them know how to interact and be part of something new. Woodie, that cute little cowboy toy, becomes an essential person in the community’s ability to build bridges and their growth experience for the toys.

I do not know about you, but sometimes, I can be blinded by wanting “my people.” I forget what it felt like to move into a community and to have no one. But the longer I have lived in a smaller town, the more I have realized that those first few months are full of experiences and moments that will either make or break a person perception. If fear is the thing that leads us, then we will never meet new people. We will never learn new things. However, if we never stay long enough to engage and build community then we will miss true friendship. We will never have friendships that enter the deeper waters of life and stay there with one another. It is a balance… I know. But it is one worth learning.

May we be a people that are willing to learn how to invite new people in. May we be a people that are willing to learn to live in deep community with others. And may we learn to see, love, and invite others in so that know they are accepted and received just like we are.