How to Neighbor

Over the years I have attended many different churches. I grew up attending an Assembly of God church. After that I attended Non-Denominational Churches, Church of the Nazarene, Foursquare, and Conservative Baptist. I have visited Lutheran churches, Presbyterian churches and more. Even though that is quite a diverse group of Christian churches in their emphasis, all of them represented the body of Christ to which I belong.

Recently, after attending my home church on a Sunday that we designate for receiving communion, I attended another church after that service that serves communion every Sunday. Their music, their sermon delivery, their announcements were very different from each other, yet I felt a sense of belonging at each gathering.

Then there’s Thursday nights where I attend a Christian personal development program that brings up to 12 different churches under the same roof. They are being discipled and united for one purpose: to see lives and communities transformed in the name of Christ. All bringing their differences, because that’s what it takes to reach people with all different types of backgrounds and challenges.

There is a beauty in the community found in the Church that cannot be found in other places. Yes, at times we may bump heads and disagree, but what we agree on and possess in our lives is far greater than any disagreements we may have. It is the confident hope and the grace of God that each of us have experience that unites us.

So many don’t see the need for community found in the Church. They say they don’t trust or they are too busy to share community in the Church. What they don’t seem to understand is that we cannot learn to love properly or fully if we are not willing to be around people that have differing views than us.

It’s interesting that we are instructed in scripture to not forsake the assembling of ourselves with other believers as we see the Day approaching. Why would God tell us in His word to get together more and more often as we get closer to His return? It seems that it’s His command to prepare us for His return. This tells me that not fellowshipping regularly with other believers leaves me unprepared for His return.

Steps on How to Be a Good Neighbor in the Church Community

1. Gather regularly. You remind yourself and others that you belong to something bigger and the sense of belonging grows stronger for you as well as others, the more you participate.
2. Approach any differences you may encounter with humility allowing the friction to shape patience and real love—remembering these things that can’t be developed in isolation.
3. Practice sharing what God is teaching you through His word, prayer and fellowship with other Christians.