According to church planter and coach Linda Bergquist, because our lives are already filled with church activities, “neighbor-sphere” friendships continuously elude us. However, when Jesus talked about our becoming salt and light, it was the macrocommunity of people who make up our everyday existence of which He spoke.
It means that we need to figure out how to engage and participate in our larger communities in a healthy way. Being good is not enough; it is a poor imitation of doing good toward others.
The fact that such a small percentage of church members, including leaders, have so little time for people outside their own small group of friends means that something is not working.
This issue of SUMS Remix looks at solutions that will help you lead your church to build community outside the walls of your building. The solutions include:
- Recognize the myths of belonging
- Realize the elements of participation
- Restore the environments that shape community
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