In the past year or so, I have probably met well over 100 people for coffee, lunch, or a house meeting. Many people show up to meetings with me with legal pads or iPhone notes asking me all kinds of questions.

What kind of music will you sing? What will your groups look like? What's your plan to reach the community?

When I flip the script and ask people what they want out of a church, I have heard two major things: 

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1. Teach the Gospel

2. Find Community

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Well, the first one is a given. If you have come to an interest meeting, you know we're all about everything we do to be Gospel-centered. But genuine community is a tough one to find. It's going to be a tough one to create.

If you know me well, you probably know my dad was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's 4 years ago at the age of 59. If you've been around anyone with dementia or any other similar type of disease, you know it not only takes a toll on the individual, but also everyone around them - particularly the major caretaker.

By God's grace, my mom was invited to a home group with several women who walk in her same shoes. She's been in the group for about 6-8 months. Every time I talk with her on a Wednesday afternoon, I am always amazed how they all rally around each other through extremely difficult times. 

One member of the group recently emailed me telling me how she is clinging to Habakkuk 3:19 - "God, the Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." 

You see, she clings to the Gospel, but she clings to community as well.

Reality is, we weren't called to do life alone. Add the Gospel in, we're not called to be Lone Rangers for Jesus. The point I am trying to make is that when times get tough, when difficult seasons of life pop up, having a Gospel-centered community around you puts into practice what the Bible teaches.

People are hurting and broken. People need care.

At Salt Church, I don't want one individual to feel like they're walking alone. I know it's work to sit in a living room and be authentic and transparent with people. But I'll tell you this much - it's worth it.

We are called to pray for one another, eat with one another, encourage one another, forgive one another, have concern for one another, be gentle with one another - and many more.

Trust me, I can't wait for the church to launch on January 10th . But in reality, I can't wait to fast forward a year from now to see how community becomes rooted at Salt Church and I get to see people caring for each other. That's what it's all about!

- Michael