Community. There has been a lot of talk about it this month. What exactly is it? Glad you asked….
The dictionary defines it as having a common place, interest, or characteristics.
What does that mean in church? Glad you asked….
As members or attenders of the church, at least we are already in the same “place.” But it’s got to be about much more than that. I would define community this way:
A close friendship with a group of people who want to walk with Jesus with me. We may have similar interests, hobbies or life styles, but not always. Sometimes community just happens between a group of people walking together towards the kingdom. There can be disparity in ages, likes, and walk of life, but together they join the cause of Christ.
One of our core values is: Life is best lived in a community of believers. What this means, as we’ve talked about it a lot in the previous few weeks, is that Community Groups are designed to help you build friendships, that walk toward the kingdom and…community. It is about journeying together. Sharing life. Doing it with new or old friends.
If you aren’t in a Community Group, you should go here and let us know: https://adventistcc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/107/responses/new
More than that, the loneliest place to be is in a crowd of people and you don’t know anyone. The best way to fix that is to step forward and offer yourself as a friend.
I was in a really discouraged place once in my life. I wasn’t sure if I would continue in ministry or not. Then another pastor came to me. He was/is an introvert. He asked if I’d like to do lunch sometime. That began a friendship that has lasted for over 24 years, over their moving to 3 different states and our moving to two different ones. We remain friends, our wives are friends and our kids are friends. All because an introvert stepped up and asked if I wanted do lunch sometime. It changed my life. It saved my ministry.
Community Groups are happening all around our church. In person groups, telephone groups and zoom groups. Go ahead, click the link above and join up.
One small act of Kindness has brought forth a wellspring of human connectivity that allows us in this congregation to seek out/
then reach out with confidence wherever we find a personal link to our interest in any particular area. So I am very thankful for that simple act of Kindness.
Amen mom! <3 so small but so SIGNIFICANT is our steps when we are looking to the Father of our faith, Jesus.
Learning to be obedient to the Holy Spirits call. Like now, I was going to close the link to the church website, after looking up the daily verse reading, when the Holy Spirit whispered “look at the blog” … Its amazing what plans God has for us … if we knew how amazing we might listen more closely?
Yes, it’s truly amazing how we are rewarded when we but follow the Leading of the Holy Spirit even in small matters. As we become stronger in our daily travails, we become a better example of how Living in God’s grace benefits everyone.