6 Ideas on Building Community

Church Planting in a nutshell is about creating community that is on mission with Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is easy to get the mission piece put together, but creating community can prove to be more difficult than we think.  Here are six ideas on how to build community.

1. Have a defined cause

• Cause has a way of pulling likeminded people together.  The more clearly defined your cause the greater chance of building community.  At the same time it has to be a cause that people can identify with.  Just because you have a cause that you are passionate about doesn't necessarily mean that other people will be too.  Furthermore, what greater cause in the world than the Gospel to rally people together.

     2.  Find a need and meet it

• We need to seek to meet physical, emotional, economic, and spiritual needs of those around us.  When needs are met...people are often more willing and eager to hear the message.

     3.  Reach out

• Hospitality means loving strangers.  A similar word, "hospice," means a "safe place."  Our homes, our place of business, and our churches should always be safe places for strangers to experience kindness and love.

     4.  Develop authentic friendships with those you know

• Are we loving, serving, and influencing our family, neighbors, co-workers and friends?

     5.  Consider allowing people to belong before they believe

• We should never allow our convictions to become a litmus test for friendship. In fact, we should actively pursue friendships with people – even people with whom we may disagree.

     6.  Raise up leaders and the next generation

• You can never be the glue that holds the entire community together.  Your capacity will determine the size and the health of the community.  Community is stronger when other people buy into the community and have authority to strengthen the community.  Look for people that are catalyst, gatherers, and implementors.

BONUS THOUGHT: Don't Stop.  Keep plodding and persevere.