A Biblical approach to church community
The biblically stated purpose of gathering as local churches is found in the book of Hebrews. It’s about community.
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are doing, but encouraging one another.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
God gave community (church) to help us encourage one another relationally and reciprocally as we follow Christ.
The writer of Hebrews could have included many things in this appeal to gather. Other Bible passages show how every believer has insights, talents, and wisdom to share in the gathering (Ephesians 4:4-12, 1 Cor. 12:4-11, Romans 12:4-8).
Hebrews focuses on the reason to gather. Encourage one another, building the whole body up through fellowship.
Christ’s Church is something we are together, not a place or event we attend.
In the New Testament, communities of Christ believers exhibit specific traits:
Christ over buildings or human leaders (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Enriching relationships over programs (1 Peter 2:5-9)
Every member is valued and included (Rom. 12:5-8, 1 Cor. 12:4-6)
Participative growth through shared teaching, prayer, and worship (Matt. 5:19, Col. 3:16)
Shared servant leadership (1 Peter 5:1-2, Matthew 20:25-28)
Leaders who give freely and model Christian character (Matthew 10:8, 20:25-28, 1 Corinthians 11:1)
Focus on deep substance instead of fancy environments or empty theatrics (Matthew 6:5-13, Colossians 2:8).
It’s not always easy to follow Jesus on our own. We all have times of droughts, doubts, and fears. In harder moments, we are prone to forget God’s goodness and even the personal ways He showed up for us (Isn’t that odd of us? It happens!).
In those times, friends can encourage us by sharing their encounters with God. We can do the same for them!
We can also help one another understand and apply harder Bible passages.
We can even celebrate big life moments with each other and lend ears or hands during harder times.
All this helps us grow in Jesus and follow Him better!
Notice something important. For these benefits to happen, leaders must care enough about members to include them as active participants rather than making them passive spectators. At BASIC, we do this by facilitating learning as conversations and by sharing leadership.
Christ’s Church was never meant to become a business for professional “clergy” who steal away every member’s priesthood.
Jesus initiated gatherings of equals who could help each other grow in Christ and share Him with the world.
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. – I Peter 2:4-10