July 19, 2025

8 Quality Characteristics #8: Loving Relationships

Love is the essence of God’s character, for God is love. In fact, God summarized the commandments for us. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34. Love has to be the center of everything we do in the life that we live. Without love, all things become meaningless. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:2 that “without love, I am nothing.” 

Our basic instinct is to love our families. It’s rooted in our nature. That’s why we love our children by default. It’s not something we have to develop or grow. We love our children from the moment they are born. Outside of that might be difficult. Our sinful nature deformed our nature to love and it can be difficult to love others. Therefore, God told the people to love: “You shall not vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:18. Jesus repeats this in the Gospels, too.

I have been writing about the seven quality characteristics that our church should have. If we were to have all seven, but not have this eighth characteristic, all would be in vain. As all the characteristics complement one another, this eighth one to have loving relationships would solidify everything together.

I pray that our church family grows to be in a loving relation as Jesus has taught us to. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

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July 5, 2025

8 Quality Characteristics #7: Need-Oriented Evangelism

Jesus knows everyone’s needs. The well-known story of Jesus feeding the 5000 is a good example of that. Seeing the great multitude of people, Jesus asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” John 6:5. Jesus was testing His disciple, and He already knew what He was going to do. With the lunch provided by the little boy, Jesus fed everyone present on scene. Later in the chapter, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.

Each person today has different spiritual needs and Jesus has the power to provide them when we actively seek out what they are. Fostering to the needs of the people in church and community is what we see in the early church. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer.” Acts 2:42. The needs were physical and spiritual matters, and the early church cared to provide them to one another. The passage continued to say, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” Vs 44, 45. 

We need to take interest in one another, and understand what the needs are. People are all in different situations and have different needs. When we come together to care for another and provide, Jesus will help fulfill the needs and we will find our church family growing with joy and happiness.

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June 14, 2025

8 Quality Characteristics #6: Holistic Small Groups

Small group ministries have been a big trend in the churches for the last couple decades or so. It is a powerful tool for bringing people together and I believe it works. Even though our church does not have an official small group ministry, the fundamental aspect of it is present. 

Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-34. 

The most basic form of small group is our family. It could refer to your biological family, or your church family. This is the foundational basis for our church to exist, and when the families interact, it stirs up the dynamics of ministry, bringing life to the church. The verses above explain how Jesus redefined who our family is. And this is how the early church grew as written in Acts 2. 

I am extremely grateful for the wonderful church family we have. When we continue to care for our families and pray for them, this church will stay healthy. Being intergenerational will boost the vitality of our church family as we strive to fulfill the gospel commission Jesus has given us.

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