We first learn about the community of believers in Acts 4:32-35. They were of one heart and mind. They shared generously so that no one was in need. Today ministry leaders also seek to cultivate such unity of heart, mind, and even resources within the congregation in general and leadership teams in particular. In Living Into Community: Cultivating Practices that Sustain Us Dr. Christine D. Pohl explores ancient and contemporary practices that sustain today’s churches. She writes a “focus on practices allows us to see issues in congregational and community life from a different angle and helps us to get at the moral and theological commitments that structure our relationships” (p. 5). Dr. Pohl identifies four practices that are central for Christian communities that are life-giving and solidly built.
As you read the points below, consider how well your community of leaders and believers embody the practices that help congregations flourish.
Thrive in Five
- Embrace gratitude as a way of life. Gratitude is our response to God for the abundant grace God has extended to us through Jesus Christ (ex. Col 3:15). As we grasp the magnitude of God’s grace, we express a heart full of gratitude through generosity and love of neighbor. Gratefulness is challenging when resources are scarce, or relationships are filled with tension. Nevertheless, grateful people weather these apparent setbacks better than those who are resentful. How often do you express your thankfulness to God and to others? How might you continue to cultivate gratitude during “lean seasons” in your church life?
- Excel at promise-keeping. Promise-making and promise-keeping are central components of God’s character (Ex. 34:6-7a). We depend on God’s faithfulness each and every day. Promise keeping is central to all healthy relationships. Other people experience us as dependable and trustworthy when we keep our promises. How well do you keep your promises to others? What helps you to keep your promise when promise-keeping becomes inconvenient?
- Live truth-filled lives. As we keep our promises, we provide evidence that we are living truthfully. Truth-filled lives are lives denoted by faithfulness and trustworthiness. One speaks truthfully in love (Eph 4:15) and forsakes deceitfulness in any form. Truthful speech doesn’t need to be brash or unvarnished. Truthful speech can manifest gentleness and kindness, even when the words are direct. When we live truthfully, we are also testifying about our relationship with Jesus. What support do you need to speak truthfully and kindly about issues when it is difficult to do so?
- Extend hospitality. Hospitality is an ancient Christian practice that welcomes a stranger into safe community space (See Christine D. Pohl’s Making Room for a detailed discussion on Christian hospitality). Everyone seeks a place to belong and people to belong to. When our community welcomes strangers into our midst, we invite them and show them how to join in the common life of our church. Some church communities will practice hospitality on a large scale through ministries to those who are unhoused or newly immigrated. Other congregations will excel at welcoming new people into their home groups. Those who began their relationship as strangers may soon become beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Who excels at extending welcome in your congregation? In what ways can your church grow in recognizing opportunities for Christian hospitality (Matt 25:35-40)?
- Practice forgiveness. While forgiveness is not one of the sections in Dr. Pohl’s book on community practices, she affirms that forgiveness is another practice that is central to God’s character and to the life of God’s people. We ask for forgiveness and extend forgiveness. We ask for forgiveness when we fail to be grateful, when we break our promise, and when we speak or act deceitfully. We extend forgiveness when our hospitality is misused, when we feel betrayed or deceived. Forgiveness is not just something we do when it’s needed, forgiveness can become a character trait of the people of God (Matt 18: 21-35; Eph 4:32). How easy is it for you to forgive? How easy is it for you to ask for forgiveness?
Resources
Christine D. Pohl, Living into Community Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rHcse8cP14
Dr. Sue Russell, Relationshift Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MU9XnUFTGE
Everett Worthington, http://www.evworthington-forgiveness.com Many resources on forgiveness including individual manual and group instruction.
Virginia T. Holeman, Reconcilable Differences, Chapter 8: Rebuilding Truth, Trust, and Trustworthiness
The Turquoise Table https://theturquoisetable.com/31-days-making-room/ Finding community and connection in your own backyard
Relational contributor: Virginia T. Holeman, PhD., LMFT, LPCC, Retired Chair of the Department of Counseling and Pastoral Care, Asbury Theological Seminary
Executive editor: Johanna Chacon Rugh
Curator of content: Carla Working
