6 Traits of Christian Community

In Acts 2:42–47, the Scripture provides a beautiful and compelling picture of Christian community. This snapshot of the early church offers a template for authentic community that churches should seek to follow. If we would build these traits into the relationships among our congregation, not only would we inspire passion, but also God would honor and bless such powerful community.

The Sabbath and Stewardship

A Biblical Basis

The word Sabbath is from the Hebrew word SHABÀT, meaning “cessation” or “time of rest”.[i] The text in the creation account provides the basis of all decrees for the practice of the Sabbath.

 “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. ² And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. ³ So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” Genesis 2:1-3

All Things Are Possible

We’ve all heard the amazing promise from the Bible when Jesus said, “…with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) It’s a verse we often use concerning prayer. Yet, many do not know the amazing context and backstory of this statement.

The Bible records that a rich, young man came up to Jesus asking him what he must “do” to inherit eternal life. Jesus listed off several commandments and the young man replied that he has kept all of them. Then Jesus, knowing that this man’s wealth prevented him from giving all his life to God, told him to go and sell his possessions and give to the poor. The rich, young man was unwilling to do so and “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (vs. 22)

Finding Sabbath

This week I came back from a one month Sabbatical from The Brook. I’m so thankful for the time the elders gave me to get away, restore and gain some perspective. It was timely and needed. After leveraging twenty years of my life toward the church, there are patterns that develop— some healthy and others not so healthy. 

There is a need for more introspection, but God has granted some perspective that I’d like to share with you. This might be particularly encouraging for those of you who feel burned out.

What We Believe (Part Four): Generosity

One of the defining characteristics of the Acts 2 church was a deep, abiding spirit of generosity. These believers possessed giving hearts that came from an overflow of the love and grace expressed to them through Jesus. The Bible says of this first church,

“And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (Acts 2:45)

At The Brook, we believe that one of the most important indicators of our spiritual health is the generous attitude in which we leverage our resources to ministry. Simply put, the church is not a healthy reflection of Christ without a prevailing culture of generosity. This is where men and women steward their financial resources in such a way to give to God and to others through the church.

This spirit and attitude hinges on a few important, shared values: