5 Things a Healthy Christian Community Must Have

In the book of Acts, you find the story of the church’s beginning; the Christian church was born in community.

“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers” (Acts 1:14).

Before the Holy Spirit fell on these believers at Pentecost, they were gathering and praying with one mind and accord. It was from this place that the church was born. After the day of Pentecost, what we see is that this idea of community continued and was a critical factor in the church's growth.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer … Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42, 46-47).

The early church prayed together, learned together, worshipped together, fellowshipped together, and ate together. This was the earmark of this new body of believers, and through this model, the church grew in numbers daily.

Now, let’s look at five elements of an effective Christian community.

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“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The Christian journey is challenging. If you have not experienced this yet, just wait a little longer. Along the journey you deal with doubts, fears, anxieties, and questions that sometimes feel unanswered. In addition, there is a spiritual battle we all face regarding sin and temptation, or just trying to live out our faith in everyday life.

Doing all this can exhaust you, and sometimes when you don’t get the result you expected, it can make you want to give up. This is where the community can step in to help.

In all the years I have spent doing ministry, there is one truth I have recognized. Everyone needs encouragement. It does not matter how spiritual someone seems or how big the smile is on their face on Sunday morning, they need encouragement. What better place to get it than amongst people who can understand what you are going through?

I am a parent of a child who has special needs. I absolutely love when I am around other parents who are in a similar situation because we can talk freely without having to explain anything. This should be true of Christian community as well, giving you a place where you can talk about your real-life experiences. I know it is not always like this, but this is the way it should be.

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“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).

One of the significant benefits of community is the support it can provide for you as you walk through life. Recently in our church, on the same day, we mourned with a family who had lost their son and we celebrated with a family who gave birth to theirs. Dealing with the issues of life – whether the ones that are joyous or sad – is so much more tenable when done with genuine support and care from other people.

3. Love

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).

Love must be the foundation for building any Christian community. The Bible constantly reminds us we must love each other. No genuine community can exist unless there is love. Without it, eventually, that community will fall apart.

When you consider the elements of what love is, then you understand why. People are often drawn into communities because they feel loved and welcomed. The opposite is also true. When people don’t feel loved, welcomed, or supported, they withdraw from those communities.

To make communities work we must honestly ask, do we open doors for people to join, or do we close them and shut them out? When God’s love is present in a community, you will always look for ways to keep those doors open.

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“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21).

Another key part of building Christian community is unity. Repeatedly throughout the Bible, we are called to be one. This was one of the last things Jesus prayed for before he went to the cross. People often underestimate the importance of unity or misunderstand its purpose. The greatest reason for unity in the Christian community is so that the world would believe that Jesus is who he said he is.

I often say that the greatest witness to the gospel and Jesus is the church. Our unity promotes that. However, I also say the greatest hindrance to the gospel and Jesus is the church. Our disunity and infighting contribute to that. Without unity, the Christian community does not look attractive to the world because it looks just like the world. That’s why a unified Christian community, centered around the gospel and full of the love of Jesus, is the greatest influence we will have in the world.

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“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Finally, building Christian community is about accountability, having other people around you to keep you honest and honorable. Leaders and people who exist without accountability often end up making poor decisions. Accountability helps when you are tempted but also if you fall. It helps when you make decisions and can keep you focused on what matters most.

Accountability is not about control, judgment, or condemnation. It is about care. Those who genuinely care about your spiritual journey won't passively watch as you stray from God or become more entangled in sin. Instead, they will lovingly push you to grow, cheer you on, and gently guide you back to the path God has chosen for you.

Christian Community Is Invaluable

As you consider Christian community, there is one last thing I want to share with you. There is no such thing as a perfect community, so don’t look for one. If you are in a community then do everything you can to protect it and build it up. Those relationships are invaluable, and when done correctly, Christian community becomes a critical component in your journey with Jesus. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

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