living open in a guarded world
choosing connection over self-protection
In recent years, the word community has become one of those terms that gets tossed around so often, it risks losing its meaning. Churches use it. Companies use it. Social media platforms use it. And with repetition, it can start to sound more like a slogan than a substance. A friend of mine had no problem sharing how it is overused, misused, and rather annoying at times. It’s still hard for me to not think of her when I hear the word. The fact of the matter is despite its buzzword status, community still counts.
The obvious question is, “What is community, and what part does it play in the church?” If asked, we would probably all have different ideas about what community looks like, as well as some misconceptions about what constitutes community. People may think community is a group of friends but is more substantial than that. Within the church, community is the larger body of believers God places us in. This includes our local church, small groups, ministry teams, and even the global Church. Community is where we worship together, grow together, serve together, and hold each other accountable.
What is community, and what part does it play in the church?
Does just reading that cause your anxiety and stress levels to rise? You’re not alone! Many people struggle with finding community within the church for numerous reasons: feeling they don’t “fit in,” fear of being judged, and overcommitment. These are very real and challenging worries, but I’d like to encourage you not to run in the opposite direction from community with just a few thoughts.
1. The Comfort of Belonging: You Are Not Alone
One of the greatest fears for anxious individuals is the feeling of being out of place or unnoticed. But the truth is, God has designed us for community. In 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, Paul reminds us that “there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” No matter how you feel, you are needed and valued. Even in your anxiety, God’s plan for you includes others to walk alongside you.
2. God Meets Us in Our Vulnerability
It’s easy to think we need to have everything together before we can engage with others. However, in the context of Christian community, it is often through our vulnerability that God works most powerfully. Matthew 11:28 invites us to bring our burdens to Christ, and the same applies to our anxieties. When we share our struggles with others, we open the door for healing and support. What binds us together as believers isn’t our successes, but our failures. We are all imperfect humans in desperate need of God’s grace. Community isn’t about perfection; it’s about walking together, even with our brokenness.
3. A Safe Space for Growth
A healthy community will embrace you just as you are, while gently encouraging you to grow and step out of your comfort zone at your own pace. As you feel more comfortable, you may find yourself stepping into roles that bring joy, such as volunteering or joining small groups—opportunities that allow you to serve and be served. Hebrews 10: 24-25 tells us, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.”
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.”
4. Take Small Steps
If the thought of jumping into community feels overwhelming, start small. Begin by attending a Sunday service or participating in an online Bible study. Even small moments of connection can help ease anxiety and build a sense of belonging. As you begin to see familiar faces and experience the warmth of God’s people, you’ll find that the community is a place of refuge rather than fear.
5. Community is Messy… and That’s the Point
Let’s be honest—real community is hard. It involves forgiveness, vulnerability, and sometimes awkward small talk. But that’s where growth happens. It’s where God shapes us through one another. It’s the place where the love of God becomes visible, where healing begins, and where progress multiplies.
Community involves forgiveness, vulnerability, and sometimes awkward small talk. But that’s where growth happens.
In the end, the call to community is the call to Christlikeness. Jesus didn’t live in isolation. He lived in constant relationship—with the Father, with His disciples, with the hurting and the hopeful. If we follow Him, we must do the same.
So yes, community might be a buzzword. But for the church, it’s also a lifeline.
Let’s not just say it. Let’s live it.
