Building Community

1 Corinthians 12:24–26 (ESV)

24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Galatians 6:1–2 (ESV)

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 (ESV)

14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Hebrews 10:23–25 (ESV)

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

LETTER

Dear Grace,

This is a letter to enlighten you how myself and others have been feeling and how we have been thinking. I am a member here, I volunteer when needed and as I can. I sit on the same pews as you, and worship the same God as you. But there are some things that have been bothering me, us rather.

I want to belong, I want to be included, I want to be heard. You ask for ideas and input on different activities and I put myself out there and am disregarded, I am told my ideas are not good and I feel pushed aside. Or sometimes I am told to take charge and do me with the ideas that I have, but once it is viewed by you and it doesn’t meet your standards or it’s not done the way it’s always been done, then it was a bad idea or it’s not what you would do. There’s also the look of disgust when a new idea is brought forth and created and that person is looked down on when you don’t approve. You say you want volunteers and such but why would anyone want to if they are going to be treated like this.

In the world it is already hard when you feel these things, but when you get the same feelings from the church, to me at least it is worse. We are called to reach the world, to disciple others, to share the gospel but how can we do these things efficiently if we can’t even do that in the church? People are supposed to be flocking towards the church instead they run away, a lot of times because of how they are treated, especially when they do what to be involved. This is how you lose people in the church, some may never return to any church after being treated in such a way. Being treated this way makes you not to want to be involved, it makes you not want to return. Please, please be KIND. Watch your words and actions. Sometimes we are looking for that atta boy/girl. We want to know we have done an at least ok job, and maybe that you are proud of us even. Just because we head up different things and are in charge of them doesn’t mean that we don’t want or need your support.. We look to you as role models and authority figures. So what we are asking is that you help build the church, instead of tearing it down.

Sincerely,

The Others