Intentional Christian Community for Christians in Healthcare and Health-related Field
Located in the Longwood Medical Area - Boston, Massachusetts. This is right by Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
What is the vision behind LCC's Intentional Christian Living Community?
The vision of LCC is to be a place where students, clinicians, scientists, and professionals in health-related professions can live together in an intentional Christian community where we...
- Grow spiritually
- Encourage and pray for one another
- Receive and offer mentorship with believers across boundaries such as age, race, marital status, and career stage
- Learn how to integrate our faith with our profession, through informal conversations and regular sharing
- Demonstrate hospitality to others
- Share the redeeming love of Jesus with those around us
Who lives in LCC?
Students and professionals in health-related professions, their spouses, and their children live in LCC. Fields represented in LCC include medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health, biomedical research, healthcare consulting, and occupational health. Those who live in LCC are at various stages in training, ranging from recent college graduate to the professorial level. We also welcome those who feel called to serve and minister to those in the health sciences.
History of LCC
The community began in 2003. The founders were led by God to establish an intentional Christian community across the street from the Harvard medical campus in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area. The area is a diverse city neighborhood full of convenience and challenges associated with city living. God clearly opened doors to position our community in a strategic and visible place across the street from the hospitals and medical campus.
Since 2003, over 140 people have lived in the community. Almost everyone has had some vocational connection to medicine as either training in or practicing in the profession as nurses, physicians, or public health. Boston University, Tufts, Boston College, and Harvard have all been representative schools. Community members have attended more than a half-dozen churches. Currently, there are over 45 community members living in the neighborhood, including five married couples and children.
Since 2003, over 140 people have lived in the community. Almost everyone has had some vocational connection to medicine as either training in or practicing in the profession as nurses, physicians, or public health. Boston University, Tufts, Boston College, and Harvard have all been representative schools. Community members have attended more than a half-dozen churches. Currently, there are over 45 community members living in the neighborhood, including five married couples and children.
Why Live in Christian Community?
Living within a Christian community can play an important part in a one’s spiritual and personal formation. We believe that the question is not, “Should I live in Christian community?” because it is not an option according to Scripture. The real question is “In what specific way is God calling me to live in Christian community?”
Determining which community you are called to invest in is a process of discernment. When it comes to community, the key question is not if, but with whom? and in what manner?
Determining which community you are called to invest in is a process of discernment. When it comes to community, the key question is not if, but with whom? and in what manner?
Spiritual Growth
Spiritual formation is often engendered by two different but related entities:
We hope that each person practices a regular time of Bible meditation, prayer, fasting, and actively participates in accountability group or discipleship relationship. The community also holds voluntary small group Bible study and prayer times weekly.
The rub of living with one another also serves as a powerful time for sin and redemption. For example, a housemate might be going through some symptoms of depression. It is in the context of conversations and prayer that naturally occur within the home that a housemate will be uplifted and gain new insight about God and his/her purpose in life. Another example might be two members of a household who strongly disagree over bathroom cleanliness. They struggle with resentment toward one another. Can bathroom etiquette really be a spiritual experience? Yes! Because relationships with other believers, especially in all of our differences, create tensions, struggles, resentment, and anger. Living in close contact with one another is an awesome spiritual opportunity for God to do His work! Part of the community role is to walk with others in unresolved conflict, explore the underlying spiritual issues causing conflict, and come to watch new life and love grow in our hearts. Such a journey in our community is not taken alone. We help one another and shepherd each other into a deeper and more wonderful relationship with Christ.
- Community practices help form us to be closer to God.
- Life experiences, especially in relationship with others, offer transformational spiritual opportunities.
We hope that each person practices a regular time of Bible meditation, prayer, fasting, and actively participates in accountability group or discipleship relationship. The community also holds voluntary small group Bible study and prayer times weekly.
The rub of living with one another also serves as a powerful time for sin and redemption. For example, a housemate might be going through some symptoms of depression. It is in the context of conversations and prayer that naturally occur within the home that a housemate will be uplifted and gain new insight about God and his/her purpose in life. Another example might be two members of a household who strongly disagree over bathroom cleanliness. They struggle with resentment toward one another. Can bathroom etiquette really be a spiritual experience? Yes! Because relationships with other believers, especially in all of our differences, create tensions, struggles, resentment, and anger. Living in close contact with one another is an awesome spiritual opportunity for God to do His work! Part of the community role is to walk with others in unresolved conflict, explore the underlying spiritual issues causing conflict, and come to watch new life and love grow in our hearts. Such a journey in our community is not taken alone. We help one another and shepherd each other into a deeper and more wonderful relationship with Christ.
Will it be fun and rewarding?
For many of us this experience has been fun and rewarding! But it will require some spending time with one another and trying to do some fun things together; being willing to share your ugliness; being willing to be Jesus’ instrument in one another’s life; and finding ways that your spiritual gifts can work together for God’s glory. Living in community is not intended to be a burden but a delight – and it can very much be this if you allow it to take root in your heart!
Examples of Community Events
Regular Community Events
Our Open-To-All Events & Celebrations
|
Annual LCC Retreats
Other Social Events
|