Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community

Bonhoeffer starts his chapter on Christian ministry by exploring what he describes as the natural tendency of people, when they find themselves in groups, to determine which person among them is the greatest. He warns that this thinking has the power to destroy a community and advises curbing it. 

In “The Ministry of Holding One’s Tongue” (91), Bonhoeffer discusses the importance of refraining from speaking against others, writing, “But to speak about a brother covertly is forbidden, even under the cloak of help and good will; for it is precisely in this guise that the spirit of hatred among brothers always creeps in” (91-92). The Christian should keep unkind thoughts to themselves, with the exception of the act of confession. Bonhoeffer reminds readers there is only one who can judge: God. He writes that humans can’t always see God’s purpose for someone but that they should trust that it’s there. Christians should then aim to see others as God sees them—as equals. All of the members are necessary for the community to function, and to flourish.

In “The Ministry of Meekness” (94), Bonhoeffer identifies two primary facets of the practice: learning to think of oneself less and learning to think of others more.