Let's Be a Church That Cares Well - Growing in Love
An Invitation to “One Anothering” at Grace Fellowship – July 2025
Back in January 2024, I shared a blog post titled One Anothering: How the Church Loves Like Christ (LINK). Since then, it has been a joy to witness the many ways our church family is living out this calling. Today, I want to revisit and refresh that conversation— there is much to celebrate and build upon.
A Church That Cares—In a Hurting World
We live in a world marked by sorrow, confusion, and deep struggle. Yet, in His kindness, God has not left us to walk alone. He designed His church to be a place of deep, personal, Christ-like care—rooted in the “one another” commands of Scripture.
This little phrase—“one another”—appears more than 40 times in the New Testament. Scripture calls us to love, serve, forgive, pray for, and carry one another’s burdens. These aren’t side notes—they are central to the Christian life.
In the normal rhythms of church, family, and busy schedules, it can be easy to drift into a routine where we smile, sit, and slip out—without fully engaging the relationships God designed to help us grow. Yet, I’m grateful for how many of you already embody this care in everyday life.
The many organic acts of kindness, encouragement, and support I see among us are a testament to God’s work in our midst. That’s why, as a church family, we’re taking intentional steps to build on this foundation—reminding everyone that caring for one another isn’t only for pastors or counselors. It’s for all of us.
What Does “One Anothering” Look Like?
Biblical Care isn’t about having all the answers or fixing every problem. It looks like this:
- Asking a sincere question—and staying to hear the answer.
- Praying on the spot when someone shares a need.
- Sending a simple text: “You came to mind. How can I encourage you today?”
- Listening with gentleness and grace.
- Reminding someone of God’s truth when they feel lost or weary.
These small moments—done in faith—are how the body of Christ “builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16). One prayer. One conversation. One act of faithfulness at a time. Many of you are already living this out, and your faithfulness is making a real difference.
Why It Matters
1. It creates true belonging. In a world full of isolation, the church becomes a refuge—a place where people can say, “They know me here. I don’t have to pretend.” Your care - one anothering - is making our church a place of genuine connection.
2. It’s a powerful witness. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This kind of love is rare. It’s real. And it reflects the very heart of Christ to the world.
How We’re Living This at Grace Fellowship
Our SoulCare Ministry | Care & Discipleship Team continues to grow—not just in structure, but in heart.
- Several are training in biblical counseling, a focused ministry within discipleship.
- Many are learning to walk alongside hurting hearts with humility and hope.
- All of us are being reminded that the Gospel isn’t just for salvation—it speaks into our daily lives.
This month, our Care & Discipleship Team is reflecting on a thought-provoking episode from the Truth in Love podcast titled “Potential Pitfalls of Gospel-Centered Counseling.” If you’d like to listen, you can follow this (LINK).
In the podcast episode, Dr. Dale Johnson and Pastor Omri Miles explore a meaningful question (paraphrased): Are we using the gospel like a quick bandage….or as the healing balm it truly is? This invites us to consider how we bring the gospel into counseling conversations, everyday discipleship or simply into “one anothering” care.
Yes, the gospel is God’s gracious and sufficient answer to both our suffering and sin. But biblical counseling/discipleship doesn’t mean simplifying every issue to a single sentence. Instead, it means applying the whole gospel, drawn from the whole counsel of God’s Word, to speak to the whole person—heart, soul, mind, body and life.
This kind of care holds together what Scripture never separates:
- Doctrine and discipleship
- Truth and obedience
- Comfort and conviction
As those who counsel, encourage, and disciple others, we’re called to steward God’s truth with reverence—offering hope to the humble, conviction to the proud, and always pointing back to Christ. And as we do, we’re seeing the fruit of this ministry grow among us.
What Can You Do This Week?
Galatians 6:1 says, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." So, you don’t need a title or special training to care well for someone. Start here:
- Move toward someone—not away.
- Listen deeply before you speak.
- Pray together, even briefly.
- Remind someone of a promise from God’s Word.
- Follow up. Reach out again.
These foundational acts build a true culture of care. Many of you are already doing these things, and together we can continue to strengthen this culture, one relationship at a time.
The Invitation
Let’s not settle for being friendly. Let’s strive to be faithful. Let’s not settle for saying “I’m fine.” Let’s create space to say, “Actually, I could use some prayer.” Let’s be a church where biblical care is not occasional—it’s expected. Let’s continually strive to love one another as Christ has loved us, knowing that every act of care—no matter how small—matters in God’s kingdom.
Our Prayer
Let’s pray that our discipleship and “one anothering” efforts are marked by both grace and truth, and that our hearts are continually shaped by the gospel we proclaim. May God be glorified as we walk alongside others toward Christlikeness and sanctification. We’re in this together, and I’m grateful for each of you.
—The SoulCare Ministry Care & Discipleship Team