Building a Jesus-Centered Community
Together, we can build a loving community that disrupts complacency and fosters healing for the broken, which is all of us.
Over the last few years, I have heard from hundreds of you that you’re part of DSBC because you share our core values and believe that God is doing something unique in and through our church.
For a church that is almost 50 years old, it is encouraging to see how the fresh vision God has given to us is blessing our city and growing our church. One of the clearest ways this unique vision is expressed is when our community of misfits connects by worshiping, talking, praying, eating, and serving together. Our values are displayed when we live like Jesus with each other.
But, let’s be real—like churches across the country, we’re not immune to the trend of declining in-person engagement. People have a lot going on: packed schedules, exhaustion, feelings of isolation, or even distrust in organized religion.
I don’t say this to heap guilt or shame on anyone. I experience it, too, often finding it difficult to prioritize my engagement with my church community. However, I know God is doing something powerful in our church, and I see it when I show up.
I am reminded of a time God used you to bless me on a specific Sunday morning last year. I was in the lobby, feeling extremely weary in my soul. It had been a hard few weeks. I was grieving the loss of a friend, frustrated by some failures I had experienced, and was reliving some painful memories that hit me in a fresh way that morning. My anxiety was high. My grief was painful. My body was exhausted. I was not in a good space.
One of y’all made a point to ask me how I was doing. It wasn’t one of those cliche statements. The person who asked really meant it. God used that moment to bless me in a huge way as I shared what I was going through, and the person prayed for me, encouraged me, and let me know I was not alone.
I don’t believe this person expected to be such a gift to me that morning, but God used their presence and intentional question to serve me.
In my almost 25 years at DSBC, I have experienced thousands of blessings like this. Personally, the last few years have been extremely difficult for me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. One of the biggest reasons I continue to hold on to Jesus and pursue what I believe is his calling in my life is because of your ministry to me. I know that many of you have similar experiences.
When we live as a Jesus-centered community, we model the early church. In the Book of Acts, we see descriptions of the first church communities. They frequently gathered together to serve each other and the community. They went out of their way to meet people’s needs.
As we enter this new year, I encourage you to prioritize church engagement, looking for ways to bless and be blessed by others.
As we do this together, we are building something unique —a Jesus-centered community that disrupts complacency and fosters healing for the broken, which is all of us.
You’re not just a spectator in this. You’re a vital part of what God is doing in and through DSBC.
This is not about building a religious platform or staff-centered organization—it’s about all of us working together to make the love of Jesus real in our relationships, our city, and beyond. As we live out our faith as part of a Jesus-centered community, I believe we will find that our souls are being nurtured, our faith strengthened, and our hearts are being shaped increasingly into the image of Jesus.
Note: I know that for some of you, joining in-person gatherings may not be a wise and loving choice right now because of physical or mental health concerns, or familial limitations. Please know that you are deeply valued, and your well-being matters to us.
Our pastoral team is here to support you and help you stay connected to the church family in safe and meaningful ways. Whether that’s through online gatherings, home visitation, or other creative options, we want to work with you to find ways to connect that are best for you in this season. You are not alone, and we’re committed to ensuring you remain a vital part of this community.
Here’s how consistent engagement with your church can make a difference:
It is an opportunity to be fully present
God designed us as whole beings, body, mind, and soul. We are not brains on sticks or faces on a screen. When we engage in our local church, we are invited to participate as our whole selves by joining with others for singing, prayer, standing, sitting, laughing, eating, drinking, and even sharing a handshake, hug, or smile. In a world dominated by screens, gathering in person is a powerful way to reconnect with God and each other.
It blesses across generations
While younger generations increasingly exhibit anxiety and isolation,we know that students today need more in-person engagement with peers and adults. One study found that the likelihood of a teenager engaging in their faith as an adult dramatically increases if five adults from their church know their name. This is made difficult by resentment between generations and a lack safe spaces to connect with different age groups. We can encourage each other by intentionally praying, eating, serving, and worshiping with people older and younger than us.
It shows the gospel
It’s where we display the gospel. Jesus called us to live out the good news in community, not just talk about it. When we meet in person, we practice the beauty and power of the Kingdom of God. When we invite others to join us, we invite them not just to learn the content of the gospel but to experience a community anchored in Jesus.
It cultivates community
Relationships within the church extend beyond your closest friends to include those casual connections—greeters at the door, the person you chat with over coffee, or the family sitting in the pew behind you. Belonging to a larger community is critical for spiritual, emotional and mental health. These small interactions help shape who we are, keep us grounded, and give us opportunities to serve each other. We never know how a kind word, a brief prayer, or an encouraging conversation can bless someone.
It is a way to practice justice
One way we stand against ageism, classism, racism, xenophobia, sexism, and the multitude of evils in our world is by living together as a diverse community while practicing the Fruit of the Spirit, and meeting each other’s needs. This often requires being in proximity to others who are not like us.
It cultivates a trauma-informed space
Counselors have noted that just one safe, secure human connection can open space for someone to heal. To be a trauma-informed church requires safe people to be present. And while all of us are broken and need healing in some way, the Spirit in us creates safe spaces for healing through our connections.
It is a taste of heaven.
Gathering as a diverse group of misfits united by Jesus shows the world the power of the gospel to heal the brokenness in our community. When we sing together, hear scripture in different languages, and share communion, we experience a brief glimpse of heaven on earth.
Church is more than just attending a service. It’s about engaging with a community—a bunch of misfits united by Christ and committed to living out His love.
I know there are many demands on your time, and there are certainly many good reasons to invest in those spaces. I also know that this invitation requires a sacrifice of time and energy, which is often in short supply. However, I truly believe that as we commit to this mission together, we will see God work in profound ways, and will bless us in many unexpected, powerful ways.
So, as we enter this new year, let’s commit to being fully present. Let’s gather, worship, serve, and grow together. This is what we’re called to—being a community that reflects the beautiful, grace-filled, transformative love of Jesus to a broken world.
Jesus loves you so much!
-Pastor Caleb