When I think about community, I’m taken back to the first time my husband and I joined a small group. We walked into what looked like a sorority or fraternity rush with an accompanying hard sell to sign on the dotted line before the night was over. None of us were quite sure what we’d gotten ourselves into, but we bravely journeyed into this new unknown together. Thankfully, years later, I can tell you it was by far the best community we ever experienced. I learned so much about building community with other Jesus-followers and the incredible value it adds to our lives.
As a new year starts, we often look to start something new or make improvements to our lives. If building community is on your list for the new year, the resources listed below may help you in your community-building efforts. Lauren Akins’s podcast about the vulnerability that true community requires is a must-listen for anyone looking to find their people. It’s a beautiful and encouraging conversation. And the Proverbs 31 article reminds me of what God taught me during that first small group: some of the best gifts He gives each of us are the friendships He brings us.
Building community is risky and time-consuming, two things we tend to avoid. But if you are missing community in your life, I hope you’ll boldly begin to build it for yourself and for those around you in 2022.
Happy New Year!
Kristen
“To have rich community you have to be willing to be vulnerable and be open. It takes consistency to build these relationships and make it a safe place to come to.”
This podcast conversation is solid gold and hits right in the heart of what it means to create strong community in our lives. It’s a great listen for anyone struggling to build or engage in community.
Listen to the episode here.
Coming out of a busy holiday season amidst the latest coronavirus surge, it can be easy to forget our deep-seated need for community. This Proverbs 31 article reminds us that we were not designed to be alone. Take a minute to read what the author says about our need for community and how God intended it to change the world.
Read the article here.
BUILD COMMUNITY WITH OTHER MENTORS
There can be a learning curve to leading a mentoring group for the first time, which is why we encourage you to engage with other mentors as an intentional part of your mentoring plan. It’s a great way to build community, learn from others, and uncover some tried-and-true tips you can incorporate into your mentoring style.
We’re kicking off our 2022 Collectively Speaking conversations soon! Keep an eye on your email or follow along on Instagram and Facebook to avoid missing it.
