Community Part 2

Hello,

I was going to post a few quick bullet point updates, but then I remembered that a few days ago I decided I need to do a Part 2 to the Community post (originally published in November or December).

In the past few months, I've become more immersed in my church community and God keeps speaking to me on the subject of the importance of a Christian community.

I'm a big fan of community for different reasons: opportunity to be around people who have the same foundational beliefs, ability to share your struggles in walking like Christ, corporate worship, ability to get/offer prayer when it's needed, and the list goes on.

Now I have a new reason to love community. ENCOURAGEMENT & AFFIRMATION. Someone said that 4 is the number of "creative vision" and I believe it. My church is in its 4th year of ministry and the air is thick w/ new ideas, new businesses, new songs, new friendships, new plays/skits, etc. There is so much talent around me that I can't believe it sometimes. But all that talent, all those gifts would go to waste if we didn't create an environment that encouraged people to share their ideas and gifts. Christian community should be able showing people how to hope, how to dream.

Personally, I've seen this play out w/ "This is Who I Am," with my worship leading, with my album that's in the works and with the encouragement I've received about leading the Spiritual Disciplines study at USC. Wow! I don't think I've ever been so affirmed, so encouraged, so challenged and pushed in my life to be what God has called me to be. You just won't find that outside of Christian community.

I LOVE HOPE's HOUSE! I hope you love your community too!

Of course, I understand that not everyone feels that way, so here are some pointers:

• Deal w/ any insecurities that you have (ask God to intervene). If you don't understand who you are in Christ and what He wants to do in your life, you might not ever do anything. Might not ever challenge yourself or try new things. Trust me!
• Find a Christian group that will encourage you, that you can learn from, that you can serve in. I'm not telling you to leave your church if you know you're supposed to be there! That's not my place. But I'm encouraging all to supplement what you already have w/ what you need.
• Try new things. Brainstorm new ideas and TELL SOMEONE ABOUT THEM. Accountability is a beautiful thing.
• Start asking your friends what they think your gifts are. What do they see in you?
• DREAM
• Don't let your fears/doubts/insecurities talk you out of things. As P. Chuck says: "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"

Try it!