Your New Life -
Community

Life is pretty tough when we try to "go it alone."  Though most of us like some time to ourselves, we also have a part of us that craves at least some interaction with other people.  Where do you turn for community—for relationships that feed your soul and bring out the best in you?

God calls us into community with others who have acknowledged Jesus Christ as their saving Lord.  This community is the church, the people of God, that gives its highest allegiance to God.  As the people of God, the church also lets God's love and healing flow through them to the world.

Now let's be honest: there are no perfect churches.  Churches are made up of imperfect people . . . but they are people who are seeking to become more like Jesus Christ every day in every way.  In fact, the purpose of the church is to be a community of grace, joy, and peace in the midst of a crazy, broken world.  As such, the church is a preview of the reign of God in the age to come—an imperfect image, to be sure, but one that is demonstrating more and more what it means to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

We live out our relationship with God by relating to other people who share that relationship.  There should never be any "Lone Ranger" Christians.  (In fact, the Lone Ranger always seemed to get into trouble when he was alone.  Even he had Tonto as a faithful companion!)  

Together as followers of Jesus Christ, the Bible says we are to be

"A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy" (1 Peter 2:9-10).

The church is not a "holy huddle."  It is a place we provide mutual encourage, counsel, and support in our relationship with God.  But together as the church we are also to be "priests" to the world: models of God's reign, extending mercy to the broken and fallen, and sharing the good news of saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you have a church where you can:

If you don't have such a church, you need to find one.  If we know of a good church in your community, we'd be glad to help you make contact.  

Otherwise, your best bet is to ask around among Christians you may know or simply to visit some of the congregations in your community until you find the best "fit" for you.  Remember, however, to discover a place that offers good teaching and strong relationships, you may want to visit one church three or four weeks in row rather than hop from church to church each week.

And, of course, be sure to ask God to guide you to the church he believes will be most helpful to you.

So where are you on this journey toward a relationship with God?

All Bible passages taken from the New Revised Standard Version.  This presentation written by Ronald W. Waters and freely adapted from "A Concise Reference for the Ministry of Evangelism" developed by the Commission on Home Ministries of the General Conference Mennonite Church and Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries of the Mennonite Church.

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