Building Community in the Face of an Uncertain Future
As the dust settles after the inauguration of a new administration, many of us are grappling with what lies ahead. For those who are not celebrating, the thought of enduring another term — or more, if the whispers of power grabs become a reality — can feel heavy. Yet, we are not without hope. Our resilience will come through building community, something bell hooks aptly described as “the practice of love in action.” In All About Love, she wrote, “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.”
This sentiment resonates deeply as we navigate a political and cultural climate that often seems antithetical to our values. At the closing session of the Passion2Plant church planting cohort, Dr. Soong-Chan Rah reminded us of this truth. “It will be community that gets us through the hard and the dark times,” he shared. For him, it is the power of community that has sustained him in dominant culture spaces. His words were not just a reflection but a call to action: to foster spaces where we can stand together, encourage one another, and cultivate resilience for the challenges ahead.
I am taking this call seriously as I reimagine what faith communities can look like. Through the Passion Center, I have been working to create a third-space community that feels like home for those alienated by traditional religious spaces. This “phygital” (physical + digital) space is a newer approach to doing church, especially after the Pandemic, prioritizing belonging, authenticity, and accessibility for people from all walks of life. It’s an ambitious vision, and hard because so many people have mental maps that can’t see themselves NOT being in a building, I constantly see memes shared of how “digital spaces” aren’t the same…you don’t feel the warmth, you don’t get this or that but so many people DO go to buildings and don’t get any of that anyway and are constantly complaining. So I ask, “how is that working for you?” I also realize that this isn’t for everyone but I’m inviting others — seasoned leaders, curious newcomers, young dreamers, and experienced organizers — to help shape this space.
This doesn’t have to be your only community but it can be an additional space where you can learn alongside other holistically-minded, justice-oriented people and for some, it can be a place where you can use your gifting for God’s glory.
If you’re intrigued, I’d love for you to join me in a virtual informational session tonight. Together, we’ll explore what it means to be part of a faith community that’s non-traditional and innovative. You can register here.
Why Community Matters
The need for community has never been more urgent. Studies show that loneliness has reached epidemic levels. A 2023 report by the U.S. Surgeon General highlighted that loneliness poses the same health risks as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Additionally, a Pew Research Center survey revealed that Americans are feeling increasingly disconnected from institutions, including churches.
Yet Scripture affirms the importance of community. Hebrews 10:24–25 reminds us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” Building a community is not just a suggestion; it is a necessity for our spiritual and emotional survival.
I wrote about how some digital spaces are doing this well and how they have become the hush harbors and bohios of today’s contemporary society.
My Personal Journey
I’ll be honest: I’m done with supporting churches led by people I simply don’t trust to care about my best interests or to truly see me. How can I trust spaces where about 8 out of 10 white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump? That number speaks volumes about those spaces' priorities—those that feel worlds apart from the Gospel of justice, love, and inclusion I hold dear. But this isn’t just about white spaces. Latine spaces, where too many leaders and congregants have also aligned themselves with Trump’s politics, leave me equally wary.
I’ve come to a point where I simply cannot — and will not — support some of these white-led spaces. Period. While I know there are outliers out there that stand as allies with people like me, I still don’t feel I can fully lean in (blame it on the trauma of past experiences). But many of these spaces often demand assimilation, ignore the complexity of my identity, and perpetuate harm in ways they refuse to acknowledge. Many of my Latino/a still support these spaces and none of this seems to register in their mind but to each his/her own.
Some people are looking for something different: a faith community that doesn’t ask them to shrink, silence, or compromise who they are.
A Call to Belonging
For those who feel unmoored at this moment, I offer an invitation: let’s build something new together. As the Passion Center relaunches in 2025, I dream of a space where people from anywhere in the world can connect, and belong — where we redefine what faith looks like in community. It doesn’t have to be your church, you can still go to a physical building if that is what calls you the most but from what I hear on the ground, many people still do that and don’t have ‘community.’
As hooks reminds us, love and healing happen in communion. And as Dr. Rah affirmed, it will be community that carries us through. Together, we can face the uncertainties of tomorrow by building a strong, inclusive, and loving foundation today.
I hope you’ll join me tonight to dream and reimagine what’s possible.
If you don’t want to join me, perhaps it is time to start building your own community. Here are some suggestions:
How to Start Building Community
- Find Your People
Start with shared values and interests. This might mean joining a small group, attending meetups, or connecting with like-minded individuals online. - Practice Vulnerability
Real connection requires authenticity. Share your struggles and invite others to do the same. - Commit to Consistency
Community doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, shared experiences, and a commitment to showing up — even when it’s inconvenient. - Reimagine Community
If traditional spaces don’t resonate with you, create your own. Whether it’s a book club, a house church, or a neighborhood group, lean into the possibilities.
I hope you find a space where you are seen, valued and celebrated. I hope you find a place where you can learn with others, grow as a true Jesus follower and work together to serve the people around you.
Because in these dark times, community is not just our survival — it’s our resistance.
