Build Your Church - Christian Life Today

Discovering Your Place in Building a Stronger Church Community

The Church is more than a building.

It is a community of people brought together by faith in Jesus Christ, called to worship, serve, encourage, grow and share the Gospel.

When we talk about building the Church, we are not simply talking about constructing buildings, increasing attendance or organising more activities.

We are talking about building people.

We are talking about creating a church where people can encounter God, discover their gifts, find belonging, grow in faith, serve others and become equipped to make disciples.

Every Christian has a part to play.

You may be a preacher, teacher, worship leader or ministry leader. Or you may quietly welcome people at the door, make refreshments, pray for others, maintain the church grounds, help with technology, visit someone who is lonely or encourage someone who is struggling.

Every contribution matters.

What Does It Mean to Build the Church?

Building the Church means contributing to its spiritual health, mission and community life.

It includes:

• Encouraging believers.
• Welcoming newcomers.
• Sharing the Gospel.
• Making disciples.
• Serving the community.
• Supporting families.
• Investing in children and young people.
• Caring for older people.
• Developing leaders.
• Praying for the Church.
• Using spiritual gifts.
• Supporting those in need.
• Creating opportunities for people to grow.

Church building is therefore something every Christian can participate in.

You do not have to have a formal position.

You simply need a willingness to serve.

The Church Belongs to Christ

It is important to remember that the Church is not ultimately ours.

It belongs to Christ.

This changes the way we approach ministry.

We are not building our own platform.	We are not trying to make ourselves famous.
We are not serving simply to receive recognition.	We are serving Christ and His people.

This means humility should be at the centre of church life.

Every Person Has a Place

One of the greatest dangers for Christians is believing that their contribution is too small to matter.

Someone might think:

“I’m not a preacher.”	“I can’t lead worship.”
“I don’t know enough theology.”	“I’m too old.”
“I’m too young.”	“I don’t have anything useful to offer.”

But churches need many different gifts.

A church needs people who:

Welcome.	Listen.	Teach.
Pray.	Organise.	Cook.
Clean.	Visit.	Encourage.
Give.	Create.	Communicate.
Serve.	Lead.	Care.

Do not underestimate the value of your contribution.

Discover Your Gifts

A good starting point is discovering what God has equipped you to do.

Think about what you enjoy.

• What are you naturally good at?
• What do other people ask you to help with?
• What needs do you notice?
• What gives you a sense of purpose when you serve?
• Your gifts may become clearer as you begin serving.
• You do not have to discover everything before you start.

Build Through Prayer

Prayer should be at the heart of building the Church.

Before asking:

“What should we do?”

we should ask:

“How should we pray?”

Pray for:

Church leaders.	Ministers.	Volunteers.
Children.	Young people.	Families.
Older people.	New Christians.	Those who are struggling.
Those who have left church.	The local community.	Mission.
Evangelism.	Unity.	Spiritual growth.

A church that prays is a church that recognises its dependence upon God.

Build Through Encouragement

People can become discouraged.

Church leaders can become tired.

Volunteers can feel unnoticed.

New Christians can feel uncertain.

Someone who has been struggling may wonder whether anyone cares.

A simple word of encouragement can make a tremendous difference.

Tell someone:

• “Thank you.”
• “I’m praying for you.”
• “You did a great job.”
• “We’re glad you’re here.”
• “How are you really doing?”

Encouragement can strengthen people who might otherwise give up.

Build a Welcoming Church

The first few minutes someone spends in a church can shape their impression of the whole community.

A welcoming church thinks about people who are new, nervous or unfamiliar with church.

Consider:

• Is someone available to greet visitors?
• Is it easy to find where to go?
• Is the language understandable?
• Are newcomers made to feel welcome?
• Can people ask questions without embarrassment?
• Are families with children supported?
• Are people with disabilities considered?
• Is information easy to find?

Hospitality is more than friendliness.

It is intentionally helping people feel that they belong.

Build an Inclusive Community

Churches contain people from different generations, backgrounds and life experiences.

A healthy church creates space for people to participate and contribute.

Think about:

• Children.
• Teenagers.
• Young adults.
• Parents.
• Older adults.
• Single people.
• People living alone.
• People with disabilities.
• Carers.
• New Christians.
• Long-standing Christians.

Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.

Build Children and Young People

The future of the Church is not simply something we wait for.

Children and young people are part of the Church today.

Invest in them.

Give them opportunities to:

• Learn.
• Ask questions.
• Pray.
• Worship.
• Serve.
• Lead age-appropriate activities.
• Develop confidence.
• Discover their gifts.

Listen to young people.

Ask what they think.

Create safe spaces where they can discuss their questions about faith and life.

Good children’s and youth ministry requires appropriate safeguarding, training and responsible supervision.

Build Families

Families need support.

Church can provide a place where families find friendship, encouragement and practical help.

Consider offering:

• Family activities.
• Parenting support.
• Prayer opportunities.
• Community meals.
• Children’s groups.
• Youth groups.
• Marriage support.
• Befriending.
• Practical assistance.

The Church should not simply tell families what they should be doing.

It should walk alongside them.

Build Strong Relationships

A church can have excellent programmes and still struggle if relationships are unhealthy.

Building the Church means building relationships based on:

• Trust.
• Respect.
• Forgiveness.
• Honesty.
• Compassion.
• Patience.
• Humility.

Disagreements will happen.

The goal is not to create a community where nobody ever disagrees.

The goal is to learn how to disagree without destroying relationships.

Build Through Discipleship

Church attendance alone does not automatically produce spiritual maturity.

People need opportunities to grow.

Discipleship can include:

• Bible study.
• Prayer.
• Mentoring.
• Small groups.
• Courses.
• Devotionals.
• Christian reading.
• Service.
• Fellowship.
• Accountability.

The aim is to help people become increasingly mature followers of Jesus.

Build Through Evangelism

A growing church should look outward as well as inward.

Evangelism means sharing the good news of Jesus and inviting people to discover Christian faith.

This can happen through:

• Personal relationships.
• Community outreach.
• Special events.
• Online resources.
• Social media.
• Testimonies.
• Courses.
• Children’s ministry.
• Youth ministry.
• Invitations to church.

Evangelism does not need to be complicated.

It can begin with a genuine conversation.

Build Your Community

The Church should be a blessing to its local community.

Look beyond the church building.

Ask:

What does our community need?

Perhaps there are people experiencing:

• Loneliness.
• Poverty.
• Food insecurity.
• Isolation.
• Family difficulties.
• Unemployment.
• Housing problems.
• Fear.
• Disconnection.

A church can respond through practical service and partnerships with local organisations.

Build Through Partnerships

Churches do not need to work alone.

Consider partnering with:

• Local charities.
• Food banks.
• Schools.
• Community centres.
• Youth organisations.
• Other churches.
• Local businesses.
• Voluntary organisations.

Partnerships can increase the Church’s ability to serve the community.

Different organisations bring different skills and resources.

Working together can create a greater impact.

Build Healthy Leadership

Strong churches need healthy leaders.

Leadership should not be about control or status.

Christian leadership should involve:

• Servanthood.
• Integrity.
• Humility.
• Accountability.
• Wisdom.
• Compassion.
• Responsibility.

Leaders also need support.

Churches should create cultures where leaders can rest, ask for help, receive encouragement and develop other leaders.

Develop New Leaders

A church becomes vulnerable when everything depends on one person.

Develop others.

Give people opportunities to learn.

Allow them to take appropriate responsibility.

Mentor them.

Encourage them.

Let them make mistakes and learn.

Leadership development creates continuity and allows ministry to grow.

Build Through Digital Ministry

The Church now has opportunities to reach people beyond its physical building.

Digital ministry can include:

• Websites.
• Online Bible studies.
• Prayer resources.
• Devotionals.
• Podcasts.
• Videos.
• Social media.
• Online courses.
• Email newsletters.

Someone who would never walk through a church door may be willing to read an article or watch a Christian video online.

Digital ministry should therefore be treated as a genuine mission field.

Build a Church That Cares

People should not feel invisible.

Notice the person who sits alone.

Contact someone who has stopped attending.

Ask how someone is coping.

Remember birthdays and significant occasions where appropriate.

Visit those who are unable to attend.

Support carers.

Pray for people going through difficult circumstances.

Sometimes pastoral care begins with simply noticing.

Build Through Generosity

Church ministry requires resources.

Generosity allows churches to:

• Support ministry.
• Help people in need.
• Maintain buildings.
• Provide resources.
• Support mission.
• Invest in children and young people.
• Serve the community.

Generosity should be encouraged without manipulation or pressure.

Christian giving is an expression of worship and stewardship.

Build With Excellence

Serving God does not mean that everything must be perfect.

But it does mean taking our responsibilities seriously.

• If we organise an event, plan carefully.
• If we teach, prepare well.
• If we welcome people, do it thoughtfully.
• If we communicate online, make information clear.
• If we work with children, follow safeguarding procedures.

Excellence is not about impressing people.

It is about serving people well.

Build Through Unity

Churches can become divided over many things.

• Different worship styles.
• Different opinions.
• Different generations.
• Different theological perspectives.
• Different approaches to ministry.

Unity does not mean everyone agrees about everything.

It means remembering what unites us is greater than the things that divide us.

A church that demonstrates love and unity provides a powerful witness to its community.

Build for the Next Generation

We should not simply ask:

“What does our church need today?”

We should also ask:

“What will the Church need tomorrow?”

That means investing in:

• Children.
• Young people.
• New Christians.
• Future leaders.
• Digital ministry.
• Discipleship.
• Evangelism.
• Community relationships.

Build something that others can continue.

What Can You Do?

You may be wondering where to begin.

Start small.

You could:

• Volunteer.
• Welcome someone new.
• Join a prayer group.
• Mentor someone.
• Help with children or youth ministry.
• Visit someone who is isolated.
• Offer your professional skills.
• Support a community project.
• Share Christian resources.
• Pray regularly for your church.
• Encourage your church leaders.

You do not need to do everything.

Find one thing you can do faithfully.

A 30-Day Challenge to Build Your Church

Week One — Pray	Pray for your church, its leaders and its community.
Week Two — Encourage	Encourage someone who serves.
Week Three — Serve	Volunteer your time or skills.
Week Four — Reach Out	Invite someone to explore Christian faith or become involved in your church community.

At the end of the month, ask:

What difference did one month of intentional service make?

Conclusion

Building the Church is everyone’s responsibility.

• It is not only the minister’s responsibility.
• It is not only the responsibility of church leaders.
• It is not only the responsibility of volunteers.

We all have a part to play.

You can build through prayer.	You can build through encouragement.	You can build through service.
You can build through generosity.	You can build through discipleship.	You can build through evangelism.
You can build through hospitality.	You can build through caring for your community.	You can build through using your gifts.

The Church becomes stronger when ordinary Christians decide to make themselves available to God.

You may never see the full impact of your contribution.

• The person you encourage may encourage someone else.
• The child you teach may become a future leader.
• The person you welcome may eventually become a volunteer.
• The person you pray for may find renewed faith.
• The small ministry you support may reach someone you never meet.

Build your Church by building people, building relationships, building faith and building hope.

Start where you are.

Use what you have.

Serve faithfully.

Encourage others.

And trust God with the results.

14-Day Bible Reading Plan: Build Your Church

Day 1 — The Church as the Body of Christ

Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12–27

Day 2 — Building One Another Up

Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:11–18

Day 3 — Serving With Your Gifts

Reading: Romans 12:1–8

Day 4 — The Early Church

Reading: Acts 2:42–47

Day 5 — The Great Commission

Reading: Matthew 28:16–20

Day 6 — Serving Others

Reading: Mark 10:35–45

Day 7 — Christian Unity

Reading: Ephesians 4:1–16

Day 8 — Encouraging One Another

Reading: Hebrews 10:19–25

Day 9 — Caring for Those in Need

Reading: James 2:14–17

Day 10 — Hospitality

Reading: Romans 12:9–21

Day 11 — Spiritual Gifts

Reading: 1 Peter 4:7–11

Day 12 — Making Disciples

Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1–7

Day 13 — Being a Light

Reading: Matthew 5:13–16

Day 14 — Growing Together

Reading: Ephesians 2:19–22

Reflection

Take time to consider your place within your church.

• What gifts has God given me?
• How am I currently serving?
• Is there an area where I could become more involved?
• Who could I encourage this week?
• How could I help someone who is new to church?
• What could I do to support children and young people?
• How can I contribute to my church’s outreach?
• Am I praying regularly for my church leaders?
• What need in my local community could my church respond to?
• What is one practical thing I can do to help build my church?

A Final Thought

You do not have to do something extraordinary to build the Church. Faithful, ordinary acts of love and service can have an extraordinary impact.