Why You Need Christian Community
Community isn’t just a nice idea—it's essential for every believer.
In Pastor Brandon’s sermon Rooted Together, he shares why community isn't just optional or beneficial – it’s a part of how God designed you to flourish and withstand life's storms.
Isolation Isn’t God’s Design
Isolation isn't simply uncomfortable; it's spiritually dangerous.
The first issue identified in Scripture wasn’t sin; it was isolation.
In Genesis 2:18, God states:
"It is not good for the man to be alone."
This statement goes beyond marriage, highlighting humanity’s fundamental need for connection.
We were created to do life together," says Pastor Brandon Woodward, reminding believers of their inherent need for community.
We’re more isolated than ever
According to a recent Barna study:
Rates of loneliness in the US have roughly doubled since 1980.
35% of Americans report feeling chronically lonely.
54% of Americans report that no one knows them well. Only 8% report having a conversation with a neighbor in the last year.
But there is a much better way to live, modeled by early Christians.
Acts 2:46-47 states:
"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."
How to Spot Authentic Community
How do we identify genuine community? Brandon highlights three key markers:
Commitment
Authentic community requires commitment. You can't microwave relationships. True connection takes time and persistence. This is reflected in the early church, as Acts 2:42 states:
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Devotion means sticking together through life’s difficult and joyous seasons.
Contribution
Healthy community involves active giving, not just receiving. Acts 2:45 describes the generosity among early Christians:
"They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."
Believers flourish most when they focus on contributing rather than consuming.
Community isn’t just about what you can get, but what you can give.
Consistency
Consistency builds trust and depth in relationships.
Brandon advises:
"For the early church, community was not just a once every two or three weeks or four weeks kind of thing. It was, it was daily. They were looking for ways to connect, to be involved. It was a decision to invest and to show up and to put down roots. As we say all the time in our church, ‘Community is work, but it's worth it.’”
Practical Steps to Build Community
Here are practical actions to foster meaningful connections:
Show up regularly:
The full benefit of community arises from consistent participation.
Practice vulnerability:
Emotional and spiritual honesty creates connections that are meaningful and foster mutual trust.
Engage proactively:
Take initiative to contribute and strengthen community bonds.
Don’t wait for community to find you – seek it out today.
Join one of Union City Church’s community groups, or join us on Sunday!
Sermon Highlights
"54% of Americans report that no one knows them well."
“God looked down and Adam was turning the garden into a total man cave, and God was like: ‘We can't have this.’”
"I watch people that are more loyal to teams, into hairdressers, into dentists, than they are to a church or their community. Because we get hurt. People let us down, but we got to become people that say, “I'm here.” And what we do is we offer the same grace to others that we are going to need at some point in the future."
"Community is work, but it’s worth it."
Watch the full sermon, "Rooted Together," here.
