When I was growing up in south Minneapolis, my family knew everyone living on our block and many near our home. During the summers, we kids played outside all day long and into the night. One of our favorite games was kick the can. As families, we would have picnics with others living on our block. Someone would make homemade ice cream and all the neighbors would come and share the ice cream.
Now because of air conditioners, garage door openers and the internet, we don’t ever see our neighbors. We have lost community.
God has wired us for community. Scripture describes the kind of community Jesus wants us to create:
I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must love also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. – John 13:34-35 (CSB)
Therefore accept one another, just as the Messiah also accepted you, to the glory of God. – Romans 15:7 (HCSB)
Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2(HCSB)
And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works. – Hebrews 10:24(HCSB)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. – James 5:16 (CSB)
This is our goal at Friendship Church. We desire to build this type of community in our LifeGroups.
A LifeGroup is a small group of people that meet 2 – 4 times each month in homes, coffee shops or various other locations.
In LifeGroups, we share ourselves, are real in every relationship, get to know others and be known, bring our struggles to light and fulfill what the Scriptures says a community should look like.
There are three key elements to a LifeGroup at Friendship Church: WORD – PRAYER – CARE
WORD: Each LifeGroup is to be studying God’s Word
PRAYER: Praying for one another
CARE: Caring for each other, and serving others together
How each LifeGroup fulfills these key elements and builds community will be different. As they build community they might go camping, go bowling, play miniature golf, go to a movie, serve at Feed My Starving Children, volunteer at Second Harvest or call on someone who is in the hospital or at home. The list is endless.
How are you at doing community?
Do you feel connected to others as God desires?
If not, please call me and I would be happy to help find you a meaningful community through LifeGroups.
Pastor Art Hansen
Art was born and raised in Minneapolis. He is married to Barb and they have two adult children and one grandson. He preached his first sermon when he was 18, and has been a Pastor for 32 years. Art enjoys reading, watching baseball and playing golf.