How can we restore the sense of a loving community?

Churches provide hope for a natural community based on the teachings of Christ. However, churches fall short of their potential and are being marginalized as the Internet provides more and more alternatives and solutions. In fact, when a church falls short, the sense of disappointment can be larger because hopes can get so high... further increasing the distance between churches and the people they wish to serve.

Question: Does your church have a strategic plan to create a stronger sense of community?

If not, you need one. Remember the old adage... "Fail to plan, plan to fail?" This is exactly what many churches have been doing and why attrition presents such a clear and present threat that holds churches back from reaching their Christian potential.

What are three common elements of a sense of community?

1.) Everyone gets to participate
2.) Everyone's experise is shared
4.) Skills and interests are shared

Any strategic plan to build a stronger sense of community will include an effort to:

• Improve communication between members.

• Help members to learn more about each other's lives (and remember names!)

• Help members learn how to support each other more.

• Help members get better connected to each other and their community.

• Help members get connected and be successful.

The Living Bulletin™ is the perfect way to increase your church's sense of community.

What is a Sense of Community?

According to "Psychological Sense of Community: Theory of McMillan & Chavis (1986)", there are four main elements to a sense of community.

1.) Membership

2.) Influence

3.) Integration and fulfillment of needs

4.) Shared emotional connection