4 key points for building a strong community

Building community is something that every leader desires to do. Leadership is influence; and with influence community is created in one way or another. Today I want to go over 4 points that really help build a strong community.1. Building community starts with passion.Webster defines passion as this: “any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling.” Ask yourself "Am I passionate about the community that I am trying to create?" Here are two things to keep in mind about passion:a. Passion is contagious.Have you ever seen someone who is passionate about something? You can’t help but join in their excitement. Don't hold back and don't be afraid to show others your passion through excitement!b. Passion is desired by all.We are all made in God's image, both Christian and non-Christian. Because of this, we have a yearning inside of us to be passionate about something because we were created for it. Some people know what they are passionate about; others would not be able to tell you their passion. Both answers are fine; if you are passionate about something, it may even be the passion that someone else is waiting, longing and looking for to become their own.2. Building community starts with a solid foundation.Creating and maintaining a strong foundation can only truly happen through God's word. Jesus' words in Matthew 7:24-27 speaks of applying God's word to our actions. By doing this we build our foundation on the rock. Although a community can be built without a strong foundation, it will fall as soon as it begins growing. Devote a lot of prayerful and intentional time on developing the foundation that will hold the community that you envision.3. Building community starts with connecting.Communicating and connecting are two very different things. Communicating is simply conveying knowledge. Connecting is to be linked or related to. We cannot just continuously convey knowledge to the community; we need to start connecting to the individual to understand the hearts that make up the community. People will last and stay in communities where they feel personally linked or related to the leader. Without true connection, you will always have a high turn around in your community.4. Building community starts with you.Building community starts with your leadership ability. In order to properly lead, you must be grounded in self-development. There are many ways to improve and create a better self. Here are 5 that I find to be very important:a. Surround yourself with positivityNegative influences and time stealing habits cannot be part of a healthy community. Intentionally decide to surround yourself with positive influences.b. Use your time wiselyStop watching TV. Stop spending so much time on social media. Replace that time with reading books or spending time reflecting on your development.c. Encourage accountabilityYou are not above anyone, you must have accountability in your life. Who is responsible for you? (Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.)d. Get mentorsHave older wiser people to speak into your life and help you along in this journey. Apply their wisdom.e. Prioritize your time with GodIn order to truly become a better individual; you must put God above yourself. God is the answer to all leadership questions you will ever have; seek Him! James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Building community takes passion, foundation, connecting and most importantly, it takes you. Live your life in a way that builds a strong community.