Building a Community Not Drawing a Crowd

In the three years or so we have done of church planting one of the most encouraging things we have seen happening is a family forming. Now you might think that sounds a bit cheesy (if so my guess is that you are Scottish) but it is striking just how often people around Harvest talk not just about church but about church family.

The reality is that it is easier to draw a crowd than to build a community, in fact if you walk down Buchanan Street any weekend there are street performers very adept at gathering people around them either by force of personality (what we call 'patter' in Glasgow) or by doing something eye catching. We quickly realise that it is the same chat and the same stunts that you will see if you wander past them an hour or so later, and that you will see them perform the following week.

How often are churches like that? We might like the presentation but the end product is not something that we are taking with us, or certainly, something that is making any lasting impact on us. This may turn into a multi-part series over weeks as I'm keen to think on it some more. So here are three things that we have sought to do in order to assist a deepening of relationships in pursuit of a close walk with God.

Be clear on where you stand: If you are then people will know where they stand. It is far too tempting in chasing numbers to fudge certain details only for that lack of information to appear like a lack of integrity a few months or even years down the line. Clarity breeds community, confusion breeds calamity. A lack of clarity makes it easier to draw a crowd without doubt- people can detect hiding places in the shadows of your uncertainty. If your church is full of people wearing spiritual camouflage it is NOT full of people working out spirit-led community. All that is being built is an arms length Christianity which, by very definition, is stretched and therefore weak in times of trouble and trial.

Be careful with people's hearts: Many people have come to the church looking for a port after a season of storms. They are looking for a place of rest and care. We have regularly said to people that we are happy to serve them for as long as they need us, while also being clear that we hope they stay for a long time. The reality is that some will stay and some will move on but hopefully all have been directed to find their ultimate shelter in Jesus. The church should be a place for people who are far from God, feeling a bit lost can come and be re-directed to Him, a place where the heart hurt can be pointed to the place of heart healing, where a passion for Jesus is stoked, stirred and serving.

Be consistent with people's sin: People need to know what to expect from you and from the church. We try to be as clear as possible up front with people about who we are and why we do things the way that we do them. We want to encourage one another, we know that God's Word says that we are called to challenge each other, we long for church where we are all sold out for God's glory. No favouritism: nobody is off limits for challenge or encouragement from God's Word. No fakery: nobody is above being called out for pretending they are something they are no or playing at being a Christian. No flattery: if you are living contrary to God's Word, we ar NOT going to tell you that God doesn't mind or that there may be a good and acceptable reason for you rejecting God's way in pursuit of your own way. We ARE going to point you to the cross and the way that has been made back for you through it. We ARE going to point you to God and declare Him abundantly more sufficient than the cheapness you are so often satisfying yourself in.

The crowd may seem safe to you right now, but a community will always be stronger for you. Don't satisfy yourself with the crowd, find a church family, make a church home and be part of all that God's Word says the church can and should be.