It's sad but true. In terms of building a community, a bar can be better at it than most churches. I've been told on more than one occasion that if a regular doesn't show up to a bar in a week or two then their friends call to see what's going on. How many churches have that kind of follow up in place?
The church is trying to create this kind of community via small groups. And while this is effective is not means to an end, but simply the path to get there. So what are some ways we can learn from a bar?
- Open, Honest dialog is key to real relationships
- Get to know those around you - forgo the greeting after worship and ask them out for a coffee or lunch
- Quantity can produce quality - spend time together "doing life" - who's going to bring ice cream when your dog dies?
For the sake of making a point bars understand community without forcing the issue. How can we adapt to build community in churches? Is the current structure enough? Are small groups enough? What are you doing to create community and is it really working or just a perception?
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