1. Create a Place of Community

Create a place no matter how small. I love to think of the verse from Zechariah chapter four verse 10:

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand,” (NLT).

When I was in youth ministry it was my goal to create a “safe haven” for kids to come; be themselves; search and find answers; and have a since of family and community. At best we would have eight kids in service, however, the typical attendance would be four and God still did great things in those services. In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 18 verses 19 and 20 Jesus is speaking:

“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them,” (ESV).

In this passage, Jesus was referring to what to do if someone sins against us and the channels we should go through to try to restore them.  Jesus was, and is still, all about restoration of his people back to him. Peter will pick this up notion of restoration in his second epistle, chapter three, verse nine:

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance,” (ESV).

God wants to restore those who are in need of a savior. The best way to restore those who are lost is to create a place where they can find community and develop relationships with others like themselves (only different); with similar struggles, experiences, and life goals. A relationship with someone is the strongest way to gain trust and respect enough to even begin to broach the topic of Jesus and salvation. Without a relationship, how does someone know if what you are saying is really being thought over, or if it is going in one ear and out the other?

They want to search for and find answers to life’s questions that are relevant to them and their struggles. It is with a community of believers that we are able to question and find life’s answers. In this way, we will be able to gather information about a situation that we would not otherwise have gathered because someone else thought of a question concerning the situation that we hadn’t thought of before.

The writer of Hebrews chapter 10 verses 24 and 25 says this:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near,” (ESV).

Restoration is done in community with other believers who continue to show that they are genuine, sincere, and loving. We need community as a place to study, learn, and provide accountability to continue on in the faith. Consider this, outside of community a study of the word can easily be forgotten, misunderstood, perverted, and/or abandoned.

Along with Community, some other topics that are brought up by this video we are about to watch is:

1. Authenticity
2. Mentorship
3. Passionate Leaders
4. Interactive Environment
5. Involvement
6. Relevant Engagement
7. Intellectually Challenged
8. Technology  and an Internet Presence

These are some of the topics mentioned that young adults are looking for/want in a church.

http://navigateyourmarketing.com/2009/04/08/top-9-things-young-adults-want-from-church/