Embracing Community: A Journey of Discipleship

Author

Elder Jim Fairchild

In today's world, where individualism often takes center stage, the notion of community might seem outdated or even unnecessary. Yet, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to embrace community as an essential aspect of our spiritual journey. The gospel emphasizes that our spiritual development is deeply intertwined with the communities we create and nurture.

From the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of community and fellowship as foundational elements of his teachings. His approach was not focused on creating isolated followers but rather on building a cohesive group that would embody and spread God’s renewing grace throughout the world. This vision of community lies at the heart of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

“You hold precious lives in your hands. Be gentle and gracious with one another. A community is no stronger than the weakest within it. Even as the One you follow reached out to those who were rejected and marginalized, so must the community that bears his name.”
D&C 162:6c

The Call to Community
As Christians, we are called to live in community—not only with Jesus Christ but with each other. This involves more than just attending church services and events; it requires active engagement with the world around us. By forming communities, we support and encourage one another on our faith journeys, working together to make a positive impact.

Fellowship was more than just a social gathering for Jesus and his disciples; it was an essential part of their spiritual journey. Through shared experiences, meals, and teachings, the disciples learned to support and uplift one another, embodying the very essence of what it means to live in a community. This fellowship was crucial for their growth as disciples, as it provided a foundation of love, support, and accountability that allowed each member to thrive both spiritually and personally.

A Christ-centered community will exhibit qualities that demonstrate what it means to be ruled by God’s love rather than the values of the world.

Creating Welcoming Communities
A key mission for Christians is to create communities where all individuals feel accepted and valued, irrespective of their backgrounds or beliefs. This mission involves reaching out to those who may feel marginalized or excluded and building bridges of understanding and compassion. In doing so, we align with the teachings of Christ, who welcomed all with open arms. 

"Let the educational and community development endeavors of the church equip people of all ages to carry the ethics of Christ’s peace into all arenas of life. Prepare new generations of disciples to bring fresh vision to bear on the perplexing problems of poverty, disease, war, and environmental deterioration. Their contributions will be multiplied if their hearts are focused on God’s will for creation." 
D&C 163:4c

Serving with Love and Compassion
Service is a powerful expression of the love and compassion of Christ. It manifests in various forms, such as volunteering at local food banks or shelters, advocating for justice and equality, and working towards a more equitable society. Through service, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those around us.

Living the Christian faith in community means engaging deeply with both Jesus Christ and our fellow believers. By creating welcoming and inclusive spaces, we can renew our relationships with God and each other. Through service, we act as vessels of Christ's love, working to build a more just and compassionate world. Let us join hands and hearts to make this vision a reality, transforming our communities and the world for the better.

“Then, as you go forth to witness of my love and my concern for all persons, you will know the joy which comes from devoting yourselves completely to the work of the kingdom. To this end will my Spirit be with you.”  
D&C 156:11b

We value our connections and share a strong sense of trust in and belonging with one another; even if we never have met. There are so many ways to connect with our community. We not only come together for worship, but we look for ways to build relationships along our discipleship journey.  We invite you to share with the Topeka Community of Christ congregation in these (FREE) community building activities:

Community Activities