Question 1

Why should the community of believers gather together?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 16:16“Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. On each of these occasions, all men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the Lord without a gift for him.”1 Corinthians 10:16-17When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.1 Corinthians 11:33So, my dear brothers and sisters, when you gather for the Lord’s Supper, wait for each other.Ephesians 3:21Glory to [God] in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.You gather with a community of believers to celebrate and give glory to God, to remember all he has done for his people. It’s so easy to focus on your own needs and goals; you need others to remind you of where your true priorities should be. By coming together for the purpose of worshiping him, and by bringing your gifts and offerings to him, you remember whom you serve.Galatians 3:26-28You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.Ephesians 3:10God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.Revelation 5:9You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.When you gather with a community of believers, you demonstrate that in God’s church, all people from all races, classes, languages, and nations are together as one. God’s people are not known by the color of their skin or the status of their job but by their faith in Jesus. This unity of believers brings a wealth of collective wisdom that you could never get from a few individuals.Acts 4:24When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—Acts 12:12When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.You gather with a community of believers for prayer.Matthew 18:20“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”Ephesians 1:23The church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.You gather with a community of believers because a group of believers can experience God’s presence in a unique and powerful way.Matthew 16:18“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”You gather with a community of believers to celebrate victory over sin, Satan, and death—now and forever.Revelation 1:11It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”Revelation 2:7“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.”Revelation 2:11“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.”Revelation 22:16“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”You gather with a community of believers to see what message God has for you. God speaks specifically to various communities of believers. To some he has words of warning. To others he has words of commendation. To some he has words of correction. To others words of wisdom or counsel.1 Corinthians 12:28Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.Ephesians 4:16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.You gather and take part in a community of believers to experience wholeness, growth and love. Individually, each person can’t do the wide range of work the church needs. Collectively, believers can and must.Hebrews 10:25Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.You gather with a community of believers to encourage, warn, and prepare to meet the challenges of the world and to learn how to better fellowship with the Lord.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of authentic Christian community?

Accepted Answer

Acts 9:31The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.1 Corinthians 12:5There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.Ephesians 3:6This is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.Authentic Christian community has Christ—and Christ alone—as its focus and center. The people gather to encourage one another in the faith, to serve, and to spread the Good News to those who need to hear it.John 13:34“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”John 15:12“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”Romans 12:10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.Hebrews 13:1Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.1 Peter 1:22You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.1 John 3:18Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.1 John 4:19We love each other because he loved us first.A community of believers loves one another.Psalm 133:1How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!John 17:21“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”1 Corinthians 1:10I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.1 Corinthians 10:17Though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.2 Corinthians 6:15What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?Galatians 3:28There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.Ephesians 2:16Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.Philippians 4:2Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.1 Peter 3:8Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.A community of believers, though made up of many people, finds a way to be unified in thought and purpose. There is harmony with one another.Acts 12:5-7While Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists.A Christian community prays together. There is special power in the prayers of believers gathered together.Psalm 22:22I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.Psalm 26:12Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord.Psalm 35:18Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people.Psalm 40:9-10I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.Psalm 68:26Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the Lord, the source of Israel’s life.Psalm 111:1Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people.Hebrews 2:12For he [Jesus] said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”An authentic Christian community praises God together. There is power in united praise.Nehemiah 9:2-3Those of Israelite descent . . . remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.Acts 19:18Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.A genuine Christian community mutually supports its members in dealing with sins and problems. At times, believers must confess our sins corporately as a means to accountability and right living. There is deep resilience in mutual support.Deuteronomy 5:1Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, “Listen carefully, Israel. Hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them!”Nehemiah 8:1-3All the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey. . . . He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.Nehemiah 8:18Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God on each of the seven days of the festival. Then on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, as was required by law.An authentic Christian community delights in reading and hearing God’s Word together. When people come together to joyfully hear God’s truth, they open their hearts to God’s work.Acts 2:42, 46-47All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. . . . They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.1 Timothy 4:13Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.An authentic Christian community studies God’s Word, fellowships together, shares in the Lord’s Supper together, and prays together. Believers experience spiritual growth together as God adds to his church.1 John 1:3We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.1 John 1:7If we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.Authentic Christian communities are marked by wonderful fellowship with one another and God.

Question 3

What is the value of community?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 12:8-10To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit.Community makes it more likely that there will be a balance of complementary gifts, skills, and temperaments.Acts 9:26-28When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.A community can provide trustworthy references to other people’s integrity and character.Acts 13:1-3Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.Leaders rely on community to discern gifts, callings, and abilities. The early church community was marked by leaders who were a mix of races and socio-economic status. This is a model of community all churches should pattern themselves after for it provides a picture of heaven, where peoples from all places will be present. A community can also provide support to those sent out for particular work in God’s kingdom. Many churches support missionaries who travel all around the world to share the gospel message.Acts 2:44All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.Acts 4:32All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.1 Corinthians 12:25-27This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.A community shares one another’s joys and sorrows. It provides a practical way to meet one another’s needs.1 Thessalonians 5:11-14So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.A community provides encouragement, accountability, and practical and spiritual support.

Question 4

Why do I need to be part of a community of Christians?

Accepted Answer

Acts 14:22They strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.Acts 18:23After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.1 Corinthians 12:25This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.You need their encouragement and care. When you are down, you need others to lift you up.Luke 17:3“So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.”1 Corinthians 5:12It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.You need their accountability. When you are headed in the wrong direction, you need others to help you go the right way.Acts 2:44All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.Acts 4:32All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.You need their generosity in times of need. When you have less, they will provide. When you have more, you can share.Acts 12:5While Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.You need their prayers. When you are in trouble, you need others to ask God to help you.Romans 14:19So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.You need their edification. When you are broken, you need others to help you to wholeness.

Question 5

How can I best impact my community?

Accepted Answer

Acts 9:36There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.Romans 13:8Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.Galatians 5:14The whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”You can impact your community by loving those God has placed around you. Find practical ways to be a good neighbor and help those in need.1 Peter 2:12Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.You can impact your community by living honorably among your neighbors. Be fair, honest, kind, and non-judgmental.1 Peter 3:14-16Even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.You can impact your community by being prepared to tell everyone of your hope in Christ with gentleness and respect. Your actions should confirm your message of hope.Acts 9:36There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.1 Corinthians 16:8-9In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.Ephesians 5:16Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.You can impact your community by having an open mind to whatever God wants you to do in your community. He will call you to do something unique, be it to warn others of sin, help the elderly, share your faith openly, show hospitality, go into politics—each calling is different. Be prepared to walk through the doors of opportunity God opens.John 13:35“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”1 Corinthians 8:1Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.You can impact your community by being a loving witness to your neighbors and practicing what you preach.1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.You can impact your community by being an example to others in the way you teach, love, express your faith, and live with purity.Romans 12:16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!Romans 14:19So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.Romans 15:5May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.1 Corinthians 12:25This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.Colossians 3:14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.You can impact your community by showing a spirit of unity. Work hard to get along with even those with whom you find it hard to love.1 Corinthians 12:7A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.1 Corinthians 14:12The same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.You can impact your community by serving your church with your spiritual gifts.Acts 11:23When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.Acts 16:40When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.You can impact your community by being an encouragement to others. Everyone can use more encouragement.

Question 6

What makes a community of believers?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 12:13Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.Ephesians 4:4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.A community of believers has the same spirit and the same eternity ahead.Deuteronomy 7:6“For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.”Deuteronomy 28:9“If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do.”John 17:6-7, 9-10“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you,” . . . “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory.”Romans 1:6You are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.Romans 14:8If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.1 Corinthians 1:2I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.Ephesians 2:6For he [God] raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.Ephesians 2:19So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.Ephesians 5:32This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.A community of believers is made up of those who belong to the Lord; they have all been chosen by God to be his holy people, and to be one with Christ.Romans 12:5So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.1 Corinthians 12:12, 14, 19-20The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. . . . Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. . . . How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.A community of believers is interdependent; it is made up of individuals who each make a unique contribution to the one body of Christ.

Question 7

What are some responsibilities of the Christian community as a witness to others?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:13-16“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”A responsible Christian lifestyle is a witness to the community at large. What people say about the way you live will probably have the greatest impact on what they think of the church. Your actions in your neighborhood will either attract or repel others to Christianity.2 Corinthians 5:18-21All of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.Reconciling others to the Lord is a witness to others. It shows your desire to bring the Lord and needy people together.Ephesians 5:24As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.Submitting to the Lord Jesus Christ is a witness to others. It shows where your highest priorities are.Romans 14:19So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.1 Corinthians 1:10I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.Colossians 3:15Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.Living at peace with one another is a witness to others. If you can’t get along with other believers, how will you be able to convince unbelievers to follow Christ, and that following Christ can produce real change?Acts 15:40Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.Acts 17:14The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind.Sending and supporting others as they spread God’s message of redeeming love is a witness to others. When your community does this, you show your love for the Lord and his appointed messengers.Acts 11:29So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could.Romans 15:26The believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.1 Corinthians 16:2On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.2 Corinthians 8:4, 6, 19They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. . . . So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. . . . He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.Giving generously of your personal resources to support the work of the Christian community and the general community helps in the responsibility to witness.1 Timothy 5:3Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her.Caring for those who are alone shows you care and is a witness to them.1 Peter 4:11Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.Using your spiritual gifts to give God the glory is a witness to others. It shows your responsibility to use what God has given you.Acts 18:27Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed.Acts 21:17When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly.Being a welcoming community of believers is a witness to others. It shows others that love is more than words.1 Corinthians 5:12It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.1 Corinthians 6:4-5If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?1 Timothy 5:20Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.Confronting sin and resolving conflict is a witness to others. It shows a wider application of Christian love.

Question 8

Why should a leader be committed to developing community?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 18:17-23“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. . . . let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. . . . select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. . . . They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”Mark 3:13-14Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach.Mark 6:6-7Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two.Acts 11:25-26Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people.Leaders are often tempted to be lone rangers. But whether or not a leader is in a specifically Christian setting, community is essential for effective leadership. In fact, leadership can be defined in part as “accomplishment through community.” Leaders get things done through and alongside others. The Bible has countless examples of leaders who developed community in large and small groups in order to fulfill God’s will.

Question 9

As a leader, how can I help build community in my church or organization?

Accepted Answer

Acts 15:2Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas.The early church modeled a process that respected all people involved and cultivated healthy community in the midst of conflict. Leaders do not lead in a vacuum, and the “product” they are trying to produce is not all that matters. The people are the ultimate product; therefore, processes that involve and respect the community are important.James 2:1My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?To build community, leaders should not show favoritism or allow those in their organization to do so. Favoritism only fosters jealousy and destroys community.1 Corinthians 12:4-11There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.To build community, leaders recognize and leverage people’s giftedness. In the church, the focus is on the Holy Spirit’s gifts—discerning and using them. In the secular world, the same applies, just with different language. Leaders in a secular organization still should determine what their people are best at and assign jobs accordingly. In both cases, this builds community, helps people appreciate one another, and encourages them to work better together.Acts 20:33-35“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”To build community, leaders get involved in the trenches and work alongside their people so they understand their jobs. Obviously, leaders have different kinds of responsibilities, but their employees need to know that they, too, are working hard. They need to see that leaders are working for their good and for the good of the organization. This builds community among those working together for a common goal.