What do you want in a church? A strong youth program, a fantastic minister, visionary elders, lots for your kids to do? Would you trade all of that for community? You know a church where everyone knows you, not your mask but the real you, and loves you anyway? A place where you are integral, where you are missed, where you are needed? A place where you know everyone. Their hurts are yours, their joys are your, their children are like your own nieces, nephews, grandkids. No, if you had that, you'd be a part of that church for the rest of your life. If we are not careful, we become consumers of church instead of communers at church. We can see church in an individualistic way that evaluates the group on what it can give me. Or we can see our congregation in a communal way which asks: "What do I have to offer this group of people? How can I be a part, take part, become a part?" And if we are consumers, we will have missed out on God's plan to be a people called out from the larger neighborhood to be a family. My husband has been teaching through 1 Corinthians and we recently ran across 1 Corinthians 12:15-18. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. (1 Corinthians 12:15) But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. (1 Corinthians 12:18) This concept that we are all one body, all placed in our church by God, all rejoicing together or all suffering together is something we long for without knowing how to achieve. But the solution, sisters, is not to go out and find that church. That is consumer thinking again. We need to BUILD those churches. That is the way communers think. But how? I'd like to offer you 6 suggestions today. 1. Texts of Encouragement-basically this strategy calls on us to take our bulletin home and not only pray for the people in our congregation who are having a hard time one by one but to connect with them through text. Click through to the original post for more details. This accomplishes two things. First it builds up our congregation in prayer. Second it connects the text-er to the needs and worries of the rest of the congregation. 2. Play together-It's a sunny spring day and you are headed to the park with your kids, what is stopping you from texting all the moms from your kids' Sunday School classes to see if any of them want to go too? You are going hiking, could you invite your small group? Our congregation enjoys picnic potlucks in the parks in the summer, and we've played kickball after Wednesday night church. It doesn't have to be a production, but if you are going to play why not play together? 3. Work together-If you long to be a part of warm, loving, connected congregation, there will be work to do. In the spring there are weeds to pull, flowers to plant, signs to paint. Cleaning, organizing and preparing materials for Sunday School are necessary evils. That's not to mention work outside the grounds like helping the widowed, visiting the shut-in, taking food to the bereaved, and child-care. Many of these tasks could be accomplished with another member of your congregation instead of alone! Shared work builds bridges between people! 4. Stop saying you're "fine." There is no building community with our brothers and sisters while we are still in hiding. No one is "fine" all the time. Let's be people who are painfully, confessionally honest. Telling others our troubles will let them be brave and tell us theirs. This works for our most ordinary troubles (pregnancy, potty training, pill boxes) and our most shameful sins (pornography). 5. Include everyone. Extroverts find community easier to build and easier to deal with than introverts but they need it no less badly. Be sure that you value the 50% of the population are going to prioritize the quiet and deep relationships that strengthen our church. 6. Stick your foot out. Do you remember in the upper room when Jesus wanted to wash Peter's feet? Peter was very hesitant. He served not got served-especially not by his teacher! Often the kind of people who are drawn to read an article like this are people who are longing to build bridges are leaders and servants. Like Peter they don't think of themselves as people who need served. But we don't have true community until we are interdependent. Don't be Peter! Be as willing to be served as to serve! If you want to be connected, loving and beloved, a real part of things, it's up to you to take the first steps. Become a communer instead of a consumer. And as you are linked to the people around you with chains of love and respect, your whole congregation will be morphed into just the thing you wanted anyway. Family. SaveSave
In order to build community, there are 7 things that every Christian must believe. These beliefs will fuel the actions we take in community building.
Christian community is a central part of growing in your walk with God. Fall is a great time to start growing community. Learn how you can make and create community in the Fall. | 6 Ways to Make Community in the Fall
Christian community is a central part of growing in your walk with God. Fall is a great time to start growing community. Learn how you can make and create community in the Fall. | 6 Ways to Make Community in the Fall
Living in community is a radical way we can find relationships the way God intends. Here are 5 reasons I believe community really will make your life better
When we start looking at examples of community in the Bible, we are naturally drawn to the account of the early church in Acts. They worshipped, ate and lived
Christian community is incredibly important for the Christian life. But finding a godly, Christian community to help you grow in God can be difficult sometimes. What is Christian community and how can you find it? Learn How to Find a Great Christian Community You Can Trust today.
Living in community is a radical way we can find relationships the way God intends. Here are 5 reasons I believe community really will make your life better
Christian community is incredibly important for the Christian life. But finding a godly, Christian community to help you grow in God can be difficult sometimes. What is Christian community and how can you find it? Learn How to Find a Great Christian Community You Can Trust today.
Women who put effort into building community rightly have a special beauty. This is what it looks like to be a build a tribe that matters.
Christian community is incredibly important for the Christian life. But finding a godly, Christian community to help you grow in God can be difficult sometimes. What is Christian community and how can you find it? Learn How to Find a Great Christian Community You Can Trust today.
Creating a welcoming home is a beautiful art and a chance to serve our families and guests well. Check out our complete guide for everything you need to make this happen!
When we walk through the valley, will there be anyone to hold our hand? Christian community is vital for us all. Find out why in this encouraging post.
We like the idea of community, but where do we start? JoinMessy Church along with over 500,000 people world-wide in over 30 countries to welcome everyone, particularly families, in meeting once a month. Warmly welcome people together in an extended family event for one hour of hands-on fun along with Bible story, activities, prayer and a meal together. Build Christian community using creativity, celebration, and hospitality, with the help of this fifteen-session tool helping you create a unique, come-as-you-are church experience. Let everyone know it's messy in here - and that they are welcome to come on in!
Without a community to learn from, I would have fallen into complacency, more than likely slipping back to my old ways because it would have felt like the only way to move forward. And then suddenly I would have been someone claiming Christ without knowing Him. Without loving Him. Without following Him.
What does the Bible say about community? It seems there are a lot of Bible verses about community and living in harmony with others.
Looking for practical ways you can show hospitality? Check out this list for 6 simple ideas that don't take much time but still make a big impact!
Cultivating contentment is critical to community. Complaining breaks this down. Here are 3 ways to practice contentment and build a community you love!
What lives might be changed, what young person may you mentor, if you endeavored to leave a Godly legacy of Christian hospitality?
Looking for a Christian business directory that can advertise your Christian-centered organization? Search no more!
Without a community to learn from, I would have fallen into complacency, more than likely slipping back to my old ways because it would have felt like the only way to move forward. And then suddenly I would have been someone claiming Christ without knowing Him. Without loving Him. Without following Him.
Are you a christian blogger/writer who's tired of competing and vying for attention on the web? Are you looking for true community- a sisterhood of fellow faith bloggers who nurture, support and encourage one another? Then you're in the right place! Join us as we strive to build and nurture real relationships!
Without a community to learn from, I would have fallen into complacency, more than likely slipping back to my old ways because it would have felt like the only way to move forward. And then suddenly I would have been someone claiming Christ without knowing Him. Without loving Him. Without following Him.
I love people. But I also love my solitude. And my independence. I often...overlook...the importance of Christian community. I don't like to think about needing to depend on people for anything, honestly. I've been known to prefer things to be done a certain way, and to just do them myself instead of asking for help.
Making friends is hard. I’d like to say that it’s just my season of life or the fact that I just moved to a new city, but really—no matter what season of life you’re in and what city you move to, friendship doesn’t always start out easily.
One of the most important times to have a church community is when you have young children. God designed us to need each other, especially other moms.
Building a Christ-centered home is an ultimate goal for many. But, how can we build one? And, what are the marks of a Christ-centered home?
Building a Christ-centered home is an ultimate goal for many. But, how can we build one? And, what are the marks of a Christ-centered home?
Fellowship is so much more than potluck dinners and ice cream socials. It’s more than hanging out with people before small group and shaking hands in the hallways at church. And while fellowship includes friendship, fun, and usually food, it’s so much more than all of those things. Fellowship is bonding over a shared “something”-a […]
Fall activities are a great opportunity to share the love of Christ. Here are 5 tips and ideas to help you glorify God in the Fall!
Fellowship is so much more than potluck dinners and ice cream socials. It’s more than hanging out with people before small group and shaking hands in the hallways at church. And while fellowship includes friendship, fun, and usually food, it’s so much more than all of those things. Fellowship is bonding over a shared “something”-a […]
Life is not meant to be lived alone. Community is vital to Christian life. Hospitality is the foundation. Here are 5 simple steps to a life of hospitality!
“I saved a seat for you!” These words from my new friend were exactly what I needed to hear to take a deep breath and relax. Just moments before, I had been sitting in my car and very seriously considering just going home.
Cultivating contentment is critical to community. Complaining breaks this down. Here are 3 ways to practice contentment and build a community you love!
Fellowship is so much more than potluck dinners and ice cream socials. It’s more than hanging out with people before small group and shaking hands in the hallways at church. And while fellowship includes friendship, fun, and usually food, it’s so much more than all of those things. Fellowship is bonding over a shared “something”-a […]
Women who put effort into building community rightly have a special beauty. This is what it looks like to be a build a tribe that matters.
The kind of discipleship that isn’t neatly outlined flows from watching another believer live in light of what God has commanded and promised.
Life is not meant to be lived alone. Community is vital to Christian life. Hospitality is the foundation. Here are 5 simple steps to a life of hospitality!
Autism Spectrum Disorder in the church is an important discussion. If you have ASD or love someone with ASD, check out these ideas to help build community.
A family Bible lesson and activities to teach generosity to our kids in our homes and communities. Join the Character Challenge for Kids for seven free lessons on character!
I had no idea what to expect at my first Maundy Thursday service but it's rich symbolism quickly led to it becoming my favorite serice of the year.
As we grow, life may be difficult for us from time to time, and it may try to knock us down with some unpredictable challenges. We will, nonetheless, have to be strong and learn how to bounce back.…
As you prepare your heart for Christmas, consider stepping out to put faith into action by loving those around you. Here are 15 ways to love your neighbor.
Fall activities are a great opportunity to share the love of Christ. Here are 5 tips and ideas to help you glorify God in the Fall!
Making friends is hard. I’d like to say that it’s just my season of life or the fact that I just moved to a new city, but really—no matter what season of life you’re in and what city you move to, friendship doesn’t always start out easily.
Hosting a game night doesn't have to be stressful. Here is your complete, step-by-step guide to make game night happen without the stress!
