What is the Role of a ‘Church’ Community?

The Love of GOD, when channeled through people, acts as a "transformational" rather than just a "transactional" Force. By serving as human vessels of GOD’s Love, every individual can greatly change the lives of those around them, offering healing, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose. 

If we work to relay His Love properly (who really knows how that looks?) GOD's Spirit WILL changes lives.

We are really good with tossing around the phrase, “unconditional love”, when are actually battling with loving through the conditions we’ve placed. I am confident that outside of repeating the phrase and looking it up, we don’t know how to truly relay this type (level) of love.

How difficult would it be if we put great effort into reshaping our own identity and worth?

I am a believer of the ENTIRETY of Scripture. Really. All of It. I wholeheartedly believe that this change can only come through the Love of GOD, working through the hearts and lives of people. That can and has been a struggle for me. My historical memories often betray me; thus, I betray the trust of the LORD. 

Receiving unconditional love through a community helps individuals realize their underlying value is based on being a "new creation" in Christ, rather than on societal achievements or past mistakes.

When I have “extra time” in my day, I slip into thoughts that I am not always comfortable with. Those thoughts lead me to the areas where I get sucker punched in my feelings that are connected to emotional wounds that are tied to the healing I received recently or, some time ago. What gives? This is where the supportive community fits and makes its impact. People in “that place” are best suited to provide a safe space to process trauma and release resentment. I find that is where I have shared past success and pains (usually during ManDate conferences), that have led to my current steps of positivity, hope, confidence and strength.

The Love of GOD, being selfless and sacrificial, can heal hearts and lives, if people are genuine and not self-seeking in those previously mentioned and loosely defined societal groups.

Does it have to always be an agenda in those places? Well, YEAH… If the Agenda id about the Truth of GOD, seeking to work in the lives of people and not just one person or the spiritual establishment.

Even though those places can be secure and “womb-like” for nurturing pain, they too can house the personalities (and actions) of the people who have been hardened by previous betrayal or abuse.

Experiencing GOD's Love through others can replace anxiety with His Shalom and swap fear with the confidence that is birthed via optimism. Knowing that our growth, maturity, freedom and overall pursuit of inclusive healing is supported by a group of free people of faith offers a "wellspring of hope" during life's challenges. That very hope, I believe, and Scripture maintains, has the ability to banish dread and apprehension. 

If you struggle or even suffer from self-ruin, breaking cycles of destructive behavior is available in Jesus, the Son of GOD. The behavior that is displayed by you and anyone else can be controlled and released from you and those who struggle with that type of conduct.

As we know, the LORD finds it unbecoming of us, if the lifestyle that He wants us to display ISN’T.

Stories of transformation, such as those of former gang members or addicts, often begin with a radical encounter with GOD’s grace [compassion, kindness and mercy] being conveyed by people who refuse to give up on them. 

In a Scripture-based and GOD-centered environment, renovation and recovery are viewed not just as individual breakthroughs but as collective experiences rooted in the Nature of GOD and the lived out reality of the Way Yeshua lived out among His people.

If we read the Bible, we understand that the Supernatural involvement of the Holy Spirit is always at work. The unfortunate thing is… People don’t see that the Words of GOD that Jesus used are of the Spirit of Truth.

Do we always have to run to another person? No. “Your faith makes you whole.” No? Yeshua said it does. It is always good to walk with another faithful and honest talmed of Jesus.

GOD’s Word is the Impetus [push, thrust, force and will] of that trust through which He can do what you request, but according to His desire for you and me.

I don’t know how His will works for anyone; no one does. In submission to Him, we must ask Him to accomplish it, even though we want something that may be different from what His will is.

The Scripture (His Word) is foundational. We need it to stand secure and firm. The environment we are in should have This as the Focus of its Purpose and Existence, not a person, claim or organizational identity.

The role of Scripture is to reveal [present] GOD’s Son, the Spirit of GOD and GOD Himself to the people reading and hearing It. Through It (the Word), GOD is to be glorified. In that worship, adoration and praise, lives ARE CHANGED and RENEWED.

The Bible tells us what the role(s) of the Scripture (Spirit) is. Here are but a few.:

As mentioned above, “He renews the mind” of the follower of the Messiah.  When we are consistently engaged with reading, studying and listening to the Word, that investment always counters internal lies formed by trauma or sin, replacing them with soul-healing truths. Is that swap with your efforts to be near GOD via His Word of Truth?

The Holy Spirit of GOD also establishes a new identity within us. Scripture makes secure an individual's understanding of his/her worth, when they understand they are a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), which provides the stability needed for deep emotional work. Their value is always established, because they are GOD’s creation, but we don’t understand that until we trust the Spirit if Truth, as seen and heard from the Scriptures.

The Spirit of Truth gladly and willingly provides Biblical Principles of compassion and the type of service that guides the [obedient and submitted] community in creating environments where lasting change is possible. 

Are you healthy? Yeah? How can your “healthy community” facilitate healing in the people who come to and through it?

A healthy “group” can multiply faith and strength by its willingness to be a supportive spiritual network that is able to carry individuals when their own faith is weak. This is possible when the hurt person is hearing testimonies from others.

“Hearing” Truth can build confidence before we are reading It on our own. The Spirit of Truth reveals the fact that GOD still heals today.

A GOD-centered group creates a safe space where brokenness is acknowledged rather than hidden, allowing for authentic connections and mutual support. That is another way healthy “people” can facilitate healing in others.

Nope. We are not going to leave out prayer. When we work to put to work the instruction in James 5:16, these same congregations are required and encouraged to engage in collective prayer and confession, which is central to the restoration of those who are sick or sad, heartbroken and spiritually feeble. 

The role of a faithful community is VITAL!

Unfortunately, when we are working to function as one, we quickly learn that not everyone has the same goal and intention in mind. It is here when “living in community” becomes rather difficult and “real life” and not the “ooey gooey” euphoria takes place.

…FOR CLARITY: Now, that you have “seen and experienced” who I REALLY am and “what I can DO WHEN PUSHED and CHALLENGED”, are you going to love me, or be only talk? Some people are messy.

Yeshua (Jesus) experienced this in His Communities of Judah. How goes yours?