“They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

Acts 2:45-47

The cost of community is inconvenience. I heard this statement from a while back and it really stuck with me, as I love the power that this communicates. Everyone desires community, because people want to be authentically known and loved, to have someone that will be there when life is good and when life presents challenges. The hard part is actually finding good, authentic community, because it comes at a price.

In order to be a part of a village, you have to be a villager.

What this means is that you have to play the role, and not just be a consumer. Which is exactly what we find when reading on how the first church operated. They came together and met the needs of those around them, and when they found themselves in need, they had cultivated relationships with those who had their back.

This is the type of community I desire, and one that I need to actively participate in, so that means that inconvenience is the price I must pay in order to foster deep community.

I remember my parents showing me how to live this way, they always connected with our neighbors and our street became a small community that could share an egg or cup of sugar, and have fun during the summers. It was a great picture of being there for the people around you, willing to give time and sometimes groceries to foster the community we lived in.

When dear Danielle and I moved into our house, we met our neighbors next door, and got to know them, but noticed that they were sussing us out a little bit. Come to find out the owners previous to us, we’re not super open and may not have been the best, so, what we did was foster a relationship. Now, it wasn’t always convenient, there were days we would come home from work and not necessarily be ready to have conversations, but we did, because it was important to be kind and create a connection with people we are around all the time. What has happened is the sweetest relationship, where this older couple cared when we had Violet, we share treats at Christmas, we are able to use their driveway when we have bigger groups over; it isn’t massive asks, but it is a relationship we have cultivated.

Community requires connection over time in order to build up relational equity.

When we read about the early church, we see a group of people that came together and shared life with one another. Sharing a meal with someone can do wonders in building connection. I remember a few months ago being invited to dinner from someone at our church. We were new and they opened their home, and this was so kind and so impactful in establishing the community we desired.

I think it’s important to understand that building community means taking little steps and caring for the people around you. It doesn’t need to be over the top, it could simply be an invite to dinner, to have a conversation that goes deeper than the surface, to be with people so that they can be there with you when it matters.

Community requires each party to be active in their contribution to the relationship.

One sided relationships stink. I’m sure at some point in life you’ve realized that a relationship is really only alive because of you. Or, maybe you haven’t contributed and that one friend is always the one that sets up the connection. Authentic, Biblical community means that everyone is participating.

You care for others and others care for you.

We need one another. It’s how God created us, we were made to connect with each other. This divine connection doesn’t have room for selfishness, it requires open hands and inconvenience. I remember talking to people while I was completing my MDiv in my courses, how they really didn’t love the idea of the “hard stuff,” things like weddings, funerals, and counseling that would take time away from them being speakers. I don’t keep up with those people anymore, because it made me so sad. As a pastor you are called to shepherd and as a believer who is a part of the body, we are all called to be present for each other and lift others up when they need help.

That is true community, and yes, it is inconvenient.

It’s not convenient to take time to listen, to care for someone else’s needs, to simply be with someone in their struggle. It’s also not convenient for others to be with you when you find yourself in those situations too.

But, it is so worth it.

It is worth the cost of inconvenience to cultivate a Biblical community that reflects the heart of Christ.

This week, take time to meditate on how you can be a good neighbor. Think about ways to build relationships with those around you, so that you can foster deep connections and build the community that God has placed you in.

You have a purpose where you are, so cultivate community.

-Your pastor and friend, Joshua.

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About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a husband, father, and pastor doing what he can to love others the way Jesus did. You can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. He may not have it all figured out, but the journey is the best part. You can find him on the social media he uses Tik Tok, Bluesky and Instagram