In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. That involves connection and friendship. This toolkit gathers together stories and resources for both individuals and churches to grow in Christian relationships—how to connect with people and befriend others as Jesus would.
Befriending and building relationships
Resources and reflections for individuals to get to know one another and build quality, Christian friendships.
- Questions to build Christian community
- How you can love your neighbor as yourself in today’s world
- Build authentic friendship: the example of a good neighbour
- Make pastoral visits without being a pastor
- 3 unexpected principles for meaningful get-togethers
- Minister for and with people with disabilities
- Build flourishing partnerships between women and men
- How hearts and attitudes changed during disagreement
- Why my door is always open: the importance of relationships in ministry
- How to practice creation care and good neighbor-hood every day
- How I care for others on the same road as me
- How to navigate and resolve family conflict in a healthy, biblical way
- The value of living in the middle as a peace builder
- Writing notes builds connection and makes me grateful
- Four things your missionaries wish you knew
Hospitality
Warm invitation opens the door for connections. In order to stay connected, authentic and equitable hospitality is key.
Outreach
For churches, connecting with others often involves outreach. These tips and tools will help you get started (or re-started) in turning strangers into friends.
Church and community connection stories
Many churches strive to be connected with their respective communities. These stories and tools will inspire you and your church to connect with your community in healthy, creative, and Christ-like ways.
- The church is a warm nest of community and belonging
- How a transcontinental partnership embodies the family of God
- How God grew a multicultural church plant in the Bronx
- Our church connects members to Japanese roots
- 7 small churches impact their communities
- Adventure Church opens coffee shop to be in the community
- The Bridge hosted a Christmas carnival for its community
- Ancora Church builds on the success of a climbing gym to reach kids and their families
- The Ridge loved its neighbors through grocery delivery
- Ross Church hosted Summer Fest for its community
- How 6 churches loved their neighborhoods
- How—and why—we shifted from “mission to” for “cooperation with”
- How this church’s presence changed its community
- How a health clinic will help share the gospel
- What campus ministries has taught me about interfaith dialogue
- Our mission is to bless our community
Tools for churches to connect with their communities
- How a church can love its neighborhood and partner with its community
- How prioritizing the needs of your community increases your welcome
- How your church can support and engage its community
- What you need to know about meaningful community ministry
- Repent, repair, and reorient to restore church and neighborhood relationship
Connecting in digital spaces
Curious about online connections? These resources prove it’s possible to connect well with others in digital spaces—to build and maintain friendships and even facilitate discipleship.
- Why we should continue to value and offer online church
- Six essentials every church website should have
- How to understand and connect with digital natives
- How we discern and dismantle racism through an online prayer group
- How a Monday night online group kept spirits up during COVID
- How an international online group discipled young adults during the pandemic