Belonging and Care in the Church
Faith + Journal / Belonging + Care in the Church
A shared life should make room for people to be known and cared for.
These readings consider welcome, patience, peacemaking, and attention to people who can be overlooked. Begin with Scripture, then ask how the life of your church can reflect the care you are reading about.
Find your place to begin
New to a congregation? Read When You Are New to a Church. Wondering whether quieter gifts matter? Begin with The Place of Quiet People in the Body of Christ. Wanting to help others feel less overlooked? Read Welcoming a Family That Looks Different From Yours.
Growing in welcome and shared care
- Making Room for Single Adults in Church Life (1 Corinthians 7:25-35)
- Welcoming a Family That Looks Different From Yours (Ephesians 2:11-22)
- When Your Church Needs Peacemakers (Philippians 4:1-7)
- When You Are New to a Church (Acts 2:42-47)
- Praying Together Across Generations (Psalm 145:1-7)
- Caring for the People Who Care for Children at Church (1 Thessalonians 5:12-24)
- Including Someone Whose First Language Is Different (Acts 2:5-12)
- The Place of Quiet People in the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
- Remembering Widows in the Life of the Church (Acts 6:1-7)
- Learning to Receive a New Believer With Patience (Romans 14:1-12)
Notice who a routine leaves out
Consider someone who arrives alone, speaks another first language, cannot attend regularly, is grieving, or serves in a role few people notice. Ask what would make participation or receiving care easier. Let the person describe their needs rather than deciding for them.
Peacemaking is not pretending harm did not happen. For difficult experiences, read When Church Hurt Makes You Afraid to Trust Again and Biblical Forgiveness Does Not Mean Pretending Harm Was Harmless. Seek appropriate safeguarding or professional help where it is needed.
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Mercy in action · The early church · Life with Jesus · Faith + Journal