There’s this myth floating around the church, and it has been around for decades. It goes like this: “All you need is Jesus.”
The difficult thing about this “myth” (as with most myths we believe) is that it’s really close to the truth.
No matter who you are—lead pastor, creative director, volunteer, casual church attender—you do desperately need Jesus. He is your hope for grace, for eternal salvation, and for true life change.
But when it comes to living life and doing church this side of heaven, Scripture makes it clear we need more than just Jesus.
We need people.
As a leader and minister in your church community, you cannot effectively do your job without other people.
You need people to pray with you and for you, people to support you, people to hold you accountable, people you can talk to when you’re feeling frustrated or down, and people you can just laugh with and be friends with.
You can’t do ministry without this vital resource. No one expects you to.
No, not even Jesus.
Jesus didn’t do ministry alone. He brought the disciples. Even in moments when he went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray (alone), he brought his closest friends with him. He always sent his disciples out in pairs or teams. Jesus never intended for us to do ministry by ourselves. Thank goodness!
I’ve invested so much of my life into building relationships with people.
My time and energy is there, my thoughts are there, my passion is there—all because I know I couldn’t do the ministry I do without the people in my life.
My wife and kids support me unconditionally and bring so much joy into my life. I have guys who stand behind me and beside me, encouraging me and reminding me of who I am in Christ. I have men who have gone before me who bring wisdom and balance to my life I wouldn’t have otherwise.
What would I be without these people?
Over the years, as I’ve worked to cultivate these relationships, I’ve learned a great deal about what it takes to build a supportive community. I thought I would share a few of those thoughts with you.
Here are three simple ways to build community around you.
