Connection Central

Cultivating community takes honesty. You will have to care enough to lovingly speak the truth. While it is much easier to remain silent when others around us are harming themselves or others with a sinful pattern, it is not the loving hting to do. Most people have no one in their lives who love them enough to tell them the truth, so they continue in self destructive ways. Many fellowships have been sabotaged by fear: No one had the courage to speak up in the group while a member's life fell apart.
"An honest answer is a sign of true friendship."
"In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery."

Cultivating community takes humility. Self importance, smugness, and stubborn pride destroy fellowship faster than anything else. Pride builds walls between people; humility builds bridges. Pride blocks God's grace in our lives, which we must have inorder to grow, change, heal, and help others.
"Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another...because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Cultivating community takes courtesy. Courtesy is respecting our differences, being considerate of others feelings, and being patient with people who irritate us. The truth is, we all have quirks and annoying traits. But community has little to do with compatibility. The basis for our fellowship is our relationship to God: We are family.
One key to courtesy is to understand where people are coming from. When you know what someone has been through, you will be more understanding. Another part of courtesy is no downplaying other people's doubts. Just because you don't fear something doesn't make it an invalid feeling. Real community happens when people know it is safe enough to share their doubts and fears without being judged.
"We must bear the burden of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others."
"God's people should be bighearted and courteous."
"Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other."