This episode is a practical, hands-on application of some of the foundational ideas of living the inviting life as a Christian. (For more in-depth, biblical underpinning for this fun episode, see the related episodes below!) Find full show notes here.

Key ideas:

We need each other in the body of Christ.
We're going to have to work for it.

My husband and I are currently three years into being the "new kids" in a very inter-connected community at Camp Bethel, in a southwest Virginian Appalachian Mountain town. While our new neighbors and "family" in ministry have been welcoming, it's also a very interconnected community, and it often takes work to connect on a deeper level with new friends.

What I've found first hand over many years of being new in various communities, is that it takes work to go beyond surface-level relationships and pursue the kind of transformative Christian community that God calls us to.

What we can not do as we pursue healthy Christian relationships:

Stay in a community that is unhealthy.

Bully our way in with an arrogant or critical spirit.

Two things to look for in a healthy church, in particular:

Expository biblical teaching

Biblically modeled leadership (Paul writes extensively about what church leadership should entail, and we should seek that out in a solid, Bible-teaching church!)

We need to go into our church setting, local study, neighbor group, workplace, and whatever community God allows us to be part of, with a heart that is humble to learn and hungry to serve. We need to ask Him to help us find a place to serve, even as we seek to continually grow as Christ-followers who seek to continually, increasingly, know Him through His word and be transformed by His Spirit.

It can be hard to pursue healthy relationships as a Christian; but God calls us to it, and it is worth the work.

Related episodes:

Grow Mature Lead with Jahlil Jefferson (episode 43)

Be Kingdom Minded (episode 9)

We Need Our People (episode 35)

Dwell Richly - The Word-Rich Inviting Life (episode 39)

Where is the Stapler? An Unexpected Way to Create Welcome (episode 38)

Ask Good Questions - Invite Genuine Community (episode 20)

Refine Your Focus: Pursue Community in Truth and Love (episode 21)

When We Feel Afraid, But God is Bigger with Kim Russo (episode 7)

Resources: