Searching for Truth

Developing community is not simple or easy. It takes first of all, the grace of God. We should ask God continuously and fervently for help and wisdom from above that we might grow into what He wants us to be as a church. Community is a terrific challenge in our culture. Some churches almost become a group of anonymous worshipers. The pervading selfishness, preoccupations with the urgent, chaotic lifestyles, and increasing detachment of intimate relationships in our society destroys community in the body of Christ. One of the most important aspects of community is growing in our relationship with Christ through knowing and being known by others within the body. Nearly everyone seems to have an inherent need to know and be known. The body of Christ supplies the environment for transparency, honesty, and intimacy. In Christ, we should be able to share our deepest needs, struggles, concerns, problems, joys, victories, and dreams. We need to learn to pour out ourselves to one another, ...

Community or fellowship is further enhanced by working together for a common purpose or goal. In the New Testament, such fellowship was sometimes expressed through financial contributions to brethren in need, or enabling preachers to tell the good news of Jesus. Working together necessarily creates community. When churches have projects, works, or ministries that allow them to work side by side in spreading the love of Jesus to others, they are building community. A church might participate in the Angel Food Ministry program or volunteer at local food banks or soup kitchens to help feed the hungry in their community. Habitat for Humanity allows churches to help in building houses for those who can’t afford them. There are a number of ways of getting involved to help the elderly, whether it is singing in nursing homes, participating in Meals on Wheels, or just finding odd jobs to help the elderly who still live at home. The Celebrate Recovery program is another way to reach out to those...

As the body of Christ, we must learn to understand each person’s giftedness from the Spirit of God. Each person in a community should understand the various roles, functions, and works of the body, and how every individual works within that framework, coordinated and networked within the body to accomplish the overall purposes of the community. We must remember that God has gifted His church for her own well being and growth. Sadly, many do not recognize their gifts in the body of Christ, nor do they know what their role is in the body. We might begin by studying together the purpose of the church in light of the gospel, and evaluating the various gifts of each body part within the realm of that purpose. In doing so, we learn to appreciate the unity that is inherent in the diversity of a community. After discovering one’s gifts, and identifying their role in the community, each one must be taught how and where to administer their gifts and carry out their role within the community...

Below is a comment from Ryan Connor that I cut and pasted from an early blog entry. I think his comments may provide for some exciting discussion, and so I've re-entered them. Terry I agree that those methods that proved effective for the early church (first century and forward) should not be dismissed. Since the question is about effectiveness, it may be that we need to avoid reinventing the wheel is unnecessary and less effective than using tested and tried methods of the past, even the ancient past. But, it may also mean that what worked so effectively in the past does not work as effectively today. For example, the house church system of the New Testament era is gaining a bit of a resurgence (i.e., George Barna). And, maybe, it is time for such a resurgence? But, the last 200 years of American Religious History have shown that house churches typically disband after a few years, or they grow into a church that buys property for a meeting place. What seems to be effective in tod...

Before considering some practical ways that congregations might develop and express community, it is important that we understand some of the different levels of co-participation that produce different degrees of community. The most general level of co-participation found in churches is when they assemble together for worship, and they meet and greet one another. They typically discuss events of the past week, recent news events, family matters, work related issues, sports and recreational activities, or weather conditions. This level of community is very basic yet important to the social aspects of community. Unfortunately some people never get past this level of community, and therefore, never experience the degree of community God intends for His church. When assembled for worship the participants sing together and often think together on whatever the leader or speaker focuses their attention on, yet there is little if any interaction during their time of worship. They have experien...

After having discussed the biblical principles describing what a Jesus community looks like, we must ask, “How do we develop and express community/fellowship in our churches today?” Is the biblical model a pattern for all times? Not necessarily, otherwise we would all have to meet in private homes, share a common meal in our gatherings, and eat the Lord’s Supper in the context of that fellowship meal. Yet, it is important that we follow the principles discussed above. We must be careful not to make every action of the early church an authoritative precedent to be rigorously copied without regard to time and place. The New Testament is not a second Levitical Code. It is our responsibility, guided by ancient precedent and wisdom from above, to adapt to the current and future needs of our world. Whatever forms, projects, programs, or activities we use today, they must be guided by the fundamental truths that Jesus is Lord, the Holy Spirit is present, the gospel must be lived out, and...

The church of Christ is a community of the Holy Spirit. The community of believers “live by the Spirit,” reflect the “fruit of the Spirit,” and “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16-26). As disciples of Christ we are Spirit filled, Spirit led, and function according to the Spirit’s gifts (1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12). The presence and power of the Holy Spirit characterized the early church. The Holy Spirit is the life principle who animates, enlivens, and empowers the body of Christ. Without the Spirit the church is dead. As the Spirit’s love is poured into us (Romans 5:5), we are identifiable by our love for one another as the Jesus community (John 13:34-35). A community characterized by love for one another is a wonderful thing indeed, and it will be attractive to others. A community of love will bring healing, help, and hope as it lives out the gospel in the world in which it resides. Such a community brings Jesus into the lives it touches, as it is the body of Christ ...