Connecting. Listening. Caring.

To become a culture that connects, we need to find common ground with others. We can connect with them by being involved in their lives, getting on their turf and in their environment. It takes us getting out of the walls of the church and being the church, not just going to church. We can connect in a powerful way by being present with each other and actually being face to face with others.

Take the time to go where others are and sit down with them. Some things might offend us, but we need to be provoked to do something in the name of Jesus. Connecting requires us to go places we have never been.

Becoming a culture that listens requires us to live humbly.
We have to put aside what we want and listen to what culture is saying. Our know-it-all attitude only broadens the gap between us and others. Adopting a life of humility will allow us access into culture. God's strength is for service, not status. Offering ourselves humbly to others will open up the door for the Holy Spirit to reign. People are desperate for someone to listen to their stories. They have an overwhelming desire to be heard and understood.

We can put ourselves in a prime position for the gospel to be heard if we humble ourselves. Society will distract us with many other selfish voices, but standing upon God's promises will keep us grounded.

"I think it's hard to find stillness, quiet in our world. Fast cars, cell phones, and WiFi keep us so busy it's hard to sit and just listen to someone else, let alone somehow listen to God. Having people in the church seek me out desiring to listen to what I have to say has changed my life. It has caused me to listen to others and set aside time to seek God." —Madison (18)

Becoming a culture that connects requires obedience to God's direction.
People within our culture are longing to be accepted. They go out of their way to fit in and be noticed. We need to convey a spirit of togetherness with our words and actions. We can only accept others when we learn to be kind and speak comfort.

People are willing to have us enter into their experiences if we first accept them where they are. We can have a powerful impact when we receive people by embracing all of their emotions and by participating with them in tears and laughter, love and hurt. Each of us is created beautifully, and that's how Jesus sees everyone—as unique, special, and loved.

This is our model of how to look at each other—we see each other as Jesus sees us.
Viewing each other with respect and love will transform our relationships. Our culture is lonelier than ever. People are desperate to be together in community. We need to be in community, not alone, embodying the Spirit of Jesus together.

In the world, there is a stereotype of Christians—we are insincere and judgmental. We can break this stereotype if we genuinely seek to care for others. We can take care of others by being sensitive to their concerns. Our culture is longing for care and encouragement.

• We can fill that role by extending our arms in love. Jesus measures our greatness by how much we care for others. Jesus gives us the perfect example of this through His life. God sent His son to love.
• We are called to love others, not to judge their behavior.
• We need more action and less talk.
• We have a tendency to speak condemnation instead of offering a helping hand.
• We have said enough over the decades; now it's time for some action.

Instead of sitting back and criticizing the way things are being done, we need to create new ways of doing them. "Caring for others has become revolutionary, even counter-cultural. The norm is getting ahead, self-improvement, and pursuing celebrity. Putting aside selfish desires and caring about others has transformed my life." —Logan (17)

Jesus has given us the ultimate model of sharing life with others.
We have countless opportunities to share every day. Let's begin to make the most of them. God brings awareness to our lives to share with others daily. Are we compelled to do for others what has been done for us through Jesus?

The love we have for Jesus naturally pours out and into our everyday life, creating opportunities for sharing. Words given in love can offer hope and peace to an angry culture. The culture around us is full of fear and darkness. We can offer the words of Jesus. They have the power to save.

Our world is broken and in desperate need of an authentic community of Christ followers who connect, listen, accept, care, and share.

• 1.6 billion people have no electricity.
• 1 billion people cannot read or sign their name.
• 800 million people won't eat today.
• Every two seconds someone dies of hunger.
• 92 percent of the world's population doesn't own a car.
• 1 billion people have no access to clean water.

Ask your community these questions and live love out:

1. How did we end up in this situation? Is it possible that we need to take some responsibility for these conditions?
2. What can we do as a body of believers to address these issues? Is it our responsibility as Christians to even try?
3. How is it that many of us spend more time discussing basketball, video games, our waist size, or what is on TV than we do about these issues outlined above?
4. Where is the Church in it all?

Douglas Smith is lead pastor at St. Louis, Missouri, Trinity Church of the Nazarene after having served in several churches as youth pastor.

Holiness Today, November/December 2011

Please note: This article was originally published in 2011. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.