RESOURCES

There is more to life through belonging to one another.  It's hard to find a home if you don't have roots.  We believe that belonging is vital for growing in the Christian faith.  It is very difficult to live out the faith when you are alone.  Eugene Peterson once said that friendship was as important a spiritual discipline as prayer and fasting; we think he's right.  Community helps to encourage and challenge you in the faith, anbd provides care for you when you are discouraged lonely, or sick.

WHERE TO START

Discovery Class

Our Discovery Class takes place a few times throughout the year.  It's a four week class that takes place after the Sunday service.  We feed you, play games, and introduce you to the people, values, and mission of Emmanuel Church.  Attending our Discovery Class is the best way to find your place at Emmanuel.

Life Groups

Our small groups come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes.  To find out what Life groups are out there, or how to create a new one, chat with someone at our Connect Desk on Sunday mornings.

Programs

There are always seminars or programs on the go at Emmanuel.  Sign up for our newsletter and weekly video to be aware of what is coming up in the next few weeks, check out the website under Upcoming Events and Connect buttons on the front page, and watch for announcements on a Sunday morning.  There are lots of ways to find community.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

The Good and Beautiful Community | James Bryan Smith

A challenge to embrace community through a variety of spiritual disciplines.

AND | Hugh Halter

A book that reminds us all of the importance of both connecting in community and being on mission.

11 | Leonard Sweet

The author highlights 11 kinds a friends that every one of us should have.

Slow Church | C. Christopher Smith and John Pattison

An argument for slowing down our schedules in order to be more present with one another.

 

BUILDING FRIENDSHIP

Emmanuel's Missional Challenge

We encourage everyone at Emmanuel to embrace our missional challenge, which is to see:

  • Every neighbourhood having a pastor
  • Every person having a friend
  • Every moment being an encounter

By embracing the challenge, you are on the look out to being available to what God is up to in the places that you live, work, and play.  Be intentional in building community with those around you.

Friendship Challenge

It's hard to make friends and sometimes harder to maintain them.  We believe that in order to have a friend you need to be a friend.  Commit to the following practices and see where they lead!

1.  Practice Hospitality.  Be willing to take some risks with people.  Invite them to go out for coffee or a meal, or have them come over to your home.  Quick conversations on a Sunday morning are good, but you can get to know someone so much better when it's an intentional visit.

2.  Active Listening.  To have a friend you have to be a friend.  Friendship involves being open about what is happening in your life, but also taking an interest in the other person's life too!  This takes work, but it's also so rewarding.

3.  Find Shared Interests.  Friendship comes so much easier when you have things in common.  Find out who is interested in the things you are interested in.  Ask around and even ask the staff.  Once you gather a few people around an interest, open it up to the church for others to join!

4.  Assertive Care.  Sometimes you have to go the extra mile for a friend.  Maybe they need help or a word of encouragement.  Some people even need friends to push them and challenge them in their faith.  All of this takes being proactive in connecting with others.