The word “community” has become a cultural and religious buzzword. Both inside and outside of the Church people have realized that living in community is integral for a healthy life, but why is that? Why does community matter at all?

From a cultural standpoint, it has been well documented that living in long-term isolation from others is detrimental to our quality of life and overall health. We have seen that neighbourhoods which possess a sense of community tend to flourish, while those with pervasive isolation tend to breakdown over time. For this reason our city invests many resources into building community and encouraging the cooperation of neighbours in everyday life. Community is seen as a wise, long-term investment.

But what about the Church? Why does Westside, for example, organize the everyday life of the church in Community Groups? Are we as a church simply trying to enhance our quality of life? Are we being guided by the same research as our city? These are really important questions to ask when church and culture seem to be pursuing the same things.

The reality laid out for us in the Bible is that, from the very beginning, God has been building a community, a family, a people for Himself. God created mankind in His own image and, because God exists within community, He designed us for the same! This is why all people find their lives enhanced when they move out of isolation and into healthy relationships. The reason the church pursues community, and structures itself around it, is clearly laid out in Scripture. Let me give you three examples.

First, Jesus showed us in Matthew 22:36-40 that the entire law God gave humanity can be summed up with two commands: love God and love your neighbour as yourself. Though unstated, both of these commands require community. Christians aren’t commanded to simply think differently, but to live in relationship to God and others differently. As the early church followed the commands of Jesus to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them, community was an indispensable part.

Second, the writers of the New Testament weren’t shy about recording a bunch of explicit commands from God. These commands make it clear that the Christian life is made up of ongoing and deeply invested interpersonal relationships. For example:  

• Outdo one another in showing honor (Rom. 12:10)

• Live in harmony with one another (Rom. 12:16)

• Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14)

• Greet one another with a holy kiss (Rom. 16:16)

• Wait for one another (1 Cor. 11:33)

• Have the same care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)

• Be servants of one another (Gal. 5:13)

• Bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2)

• Comfort one another (1 Thess. 5:11)

• Build one another up (1 Thess. 5:11)

• Be at peace with one another (1 Thess. 5:13)

• Do good to one another (1 Thess. 5:15)

• Put up with one another in love (Eph. 4:2)

• Be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph. 4:32)

• Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21)

• Forgive one another (Col. 3:13)

• Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)

• Pray for one another (James 5:16)

• Love one another from the heart (1 Pet. 1:22)

• Be hospitable to one another (1 Pet. 4:9)

• Meet one another with humility (1 Pet. 5:5)

Lastly, and maybe the most profound reason why the church must give itself to the messy and painful work of creating gospel-centred community, is because ultimately the work God is doing in each of our lives is conforming us to the image of His Son, Jesus! (Rom 8:29)

Our Lord, Savior, God, and King didn’t come to atone for our sins simply so that we could “go to Heaven” one day. He came, lived, died, and rose so that we would be completely and forever changed. He modeled for us what it means to live life as a love offering to God. He showed us that it means pouring ourselves out for others. It means living out the “one another” verses listed above. It means giving all that we are and all that we have as a response to God’s grace on us. Why? Because God is turning us into people who look exactly like Jesus and community with other believers is one of His primary tools.

Why community? Because God lives in community, God calls us into community, God models community for us and God is using community to prepare us to live in community with Him forever.

Sign-up for a Community Group in your area by clicking HERE.

Matt Menzel is on staff at Westside Church, where he oversees teaching and discipleship. Matt is married to Melissa.