Love: A Fundamental Characteristic of Christian Community

Right now our Naperville church plant, Cross of Christ Fellowship, is in the core team building stage. We are working hard to find other believers–striving for at least 40 adults–who are willing to sacrificially come together to create a new community, in order to see Jesus treasured in Naperville. In this early stage, we meet regularly for fellowship and prayer.

It is a unique time, where our entire church plant can get together and share a meal together around a table—something that will be impossible when the church gets bigger. It is also a pivotal time for us, where the tone is set for our new church. Recognizing this, we hope that the tone of Cross of Christ Fellowship is one of love—love for God and love for one another. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). If we want others to recognize that we are disciples of Jesus, then they must see out love for each other, in addition to our love for God.

Having love for one another is a fundamental characteristic for Christian community. It is more important than cultural engagement, ministry systems, or outreach strategies—things which shouldn’t be neglected either. What good is it if you are engaging the culture, but have a community filled with contention and division? What use are perfect ministry systems or outreach ideas if church’s members are self-centered and neglectful of each others’ needs? A church plant must be a loving community.

Please pray that our church plant is community of love. Pray that God would show us how to love each other and that non-Christians would be drawn to this love, and that ultimately that Jesus would be glorified in our love each other—we would love each other out of love for our great God.