Christian Community: Why You Need It and What the Bible Says About It

Updated: Sep 24, 2023

Christian Community is not something we naturally gravitate to. Life is busy and we think don't have the extra time for more people in our lives or one more thing to do. Trust me, I get it. I used to belong to a megachurch and would hide up in the balcony, arriving and leaving before I learned a single name or talked to a single person.

I attended this church for about 6 years. Suddenly, a huge scandal broke out. It was hard to listen to a pastor who doesn't practice what he preaches. Luckily, my favorite pastor at that church left and made her own church. I hunted her down on social media to find out about this new church and went the following Sunday. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Since this church was new it had only about 20 people in it. And we don't just "do church on Sunday." We meet on Thursdays for socials or Bible Study, we have prayer nights together. We've gone to plays, Christian movies and worship nights. Once a month we have a Men's Breakfast so us girls all meet up for breakfast ourselves at a local restaurant. We have women's nights and Coffee and Canvas.

There were a lot of us who were hurting and dealing with hardship. I can't even count the number of services that numerous people were in tears during worship, service, or prayer. You quickly become family when you make yourself vulnerable. With Christ in our hearts, we strengthen each other and hold each other up. Which leads us right to what the bible says about fellowship.

So let me share 5 reasons why you need to be in fellowship with other Christians and what the bible says about it.

Reason 1: Two Are Better Than One

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls down and has no one to help them up."

I struggle deeply with mental illness and depression. Not only does my community hold me up in prayer and support but they make sure I get to church. Church is the place you need to be most when you're struggling.

I missed two weeks of church in a row which is not like me. I knew on that third week that if I didn't make it my pastor and church family would literally be at my door to drag me to church. It sounds invasive by it was exactly what I needed. So, I went, I prayed, I wept, and I started to come out of my depression.

Reason 2: Growth

Hebrews 10:24-25 says: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

My church family, without a doubt, spurs me on towards love and good deeds. They encourage me and I encourage them. Having a Christian sounding board is extremely important in the Christian life. Our culture is always bombarding us with messages about being happy, feeling perfect the way we are and putting ourselves first. If we aren't careful to follow His Word we will fall into this cultural trap.

When I discuss issues I'm facing with my church family, I know they're going to give me biblical advice and hold me accountable in a loving, non-judgmental way. This molds me to be the most Christ-like version of myself, which is always the ultimate goal.

Reason 3: Focus on Jesus

Colossians 3:16 says: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."

What this verse is saying is that the Word of Christ should dwell in us so richly that we live a life of worship!

Being in a community of other believers who are living a life of worship comes with habits. We listen to Christian podcasts and music; see Christian movies and, man, do we LOVE The Chosen series!

We teach and advise each other through our own knowledge and experiences.

We create our own subculture where Jesus is the center. If we just go to church on Sunday and leave Jesus there, we will never grow, we will sin more and love less. Having Jesus be the focus of my life makes my life way better for a lot of reasons.

Reason 4: Learning to and Being Loved at All Times

Proverbs 17:17 says "a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for times of adversity."

I can't tell you how many times I learned the hard way that people I thought were my friends really weren't. The best way to learn this hard truth is when the going gets tough.

When you are surrounded by Christian community, they do their best to love you the way Jesus loved, to follow His perfect example. Being loved like that is nourishing for the soul and in turn teaches you to love others that way as well. I've overcome sins that many would judge me for but instead of a cold shoulder I received celebration! You would have thought these people overcame these sins themselves with how happy they were for me. I'll never forget it and it helps me stay on the right path.

Reason 5: The Richness of the Holy Spirit

We all walk into church and feel immediately uplifted! This is because as Matthew 18:20 says "where two or three gather in my name I am there with them."

When you are around people who love Jesus with their whole heart it is contagious! When I don't feel like leaving the house to get to Bible Study, I am motivated because I know once I get there, I will feel overwhelming comfort and joy.

Vital Community

The Richness of the Holy Spirit is where healing happens and where joy springs up!

I will acknowledge before I close that it's not always easy to find a genuine Christian Community. I've been part of a few where I knew that I was in a judgmental atmosphere and being honest and vulnerable hurt me more than it helped. But I encourage you not to give up.

My church is called VitalCo which means Vital Community. Our motto is that we don't 'go to church' because we ARE the church. I once felt like life was too busy for more people and more functions; but God created us for connectivity, not to push out to-do lists day after day. My life is so much richer due to fellowship. I wouldn't trade these people for anything in the world!

My honest hope and prayer is that you find your very own VitalCo!