Is Your Church Community?

By David Tonen • August 15th, 2009

We live in communities.  Yes, you and I.  Some of us live in small rural communities, others in suburban communities, and others in city communities.  All of us have neighbours.  All of us are different yey in many ways the same.  All of us a part of a place.

But are we?  In North America we are ever increasingly removed from our neighbours and often the communities in which we live.  Yet, people were designed (by God) to be in community.  In community with Him, and in community with others we live in proximity with.  Why?  Because we  are relational.  Some more than others of course but we are none-the-less relational.  We need others and we need community.

People today are craving community.  Mostly because they are not experiencing genuine community from the communities they live in.  So, the church can fill that void (and others).  I have watched many people become attracted to the community of a local church before they are attracted to God.  And that is not a bad thing.  Churches have an opportunity to show God’s love in action through community.  Help people experience healthy relationships and genuine, heartfelt community and they become open to listen to, learn about, and discover the source of that community.

Is your church showing “your community” what real community is all about?

Image via Flickr: Joe Lencioni

View Comments Church Marketing, Excellence, Management, Ministry, Morale
  • Thanks for your comment Darren!

    Some community happens in cell-type groups but I think it can happen nicely in social events as well. This past weekend I experienced some great "community" happening at a church pool-party/BBQ. I have seen it happen through teams that "serve" together (such as our Audio-visual team). I see it happen in smaller ways over coffee before and after the church service we have.

    I think community happens in planned an un-planned ways but you have to be open to creating (even subtly) environments where people can really connect. I just see so many lonely people in our society who are desperately searching for some resemblance of community. If we build it... they will come...and most connect with God in that process to - bonus!
  • Good post and well said. I am part of the pastoral team of a larger church so fully agree with the above. Additionally though how we do we as believers also model and create community in the neighborhoods where we live. I realize this is probably more of a cell church model question, but then again somehow I think not. As a pastor I struggle with creating community within our church structure knowing that many believers do not spend the time to properly create community and connection right where they live. Thoughts? At the very least we do not teach that or rarely dialogue about the need for that. Perhaps that is just not a cultural reality or need in North America?
  • Yes, thanks for your comment Bradley. I think it is our job as church leaders then to make sure these people are connected into discipleship groups so they can build onto the community aspect with some spiritual principles. We must make sure that the church is more than a social club or community...it is after all about Jesus!
  • Wow - I have never really thought about it that way, but it is true - even for my church. Many come for the community. They are new in town, or have young children, or want to get more connected with people, and they are attracted to the church - as you say, before they are attracted to God. Or maybe that is their first step towards God, in their own way. And it is one way that God can work to bring people closer to Him.
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