An interesting way to gauge the health of a church is with the simple
question "How well do we know each other?" After all, how can we
encourage one another and spur each other on if we don't know what is
really going on in our lives. When you think of four random folks
from your church, can you honestly say that you know where they are in
their walk with Jesus? Are they encouraged, or secretly discouraged?
And do they know what is going with you? I've often thought that my
best friends are the ones who don't even need to ask the question "How
are you?" because they already know...

So, how do we get to know each other in a deep way? Two words I think
of are "purpose" and "time". It helps to purpose to know one another
and be honest with one another. It isn't always necessary to set out
formal goal, but it sure helps. And there are no shortcuts in the
process, it takes spending time together--praying together, eating
together, laughing together, chilling together. It is somewhat naive
to think that we should open up to each other when we haven't spent
the time building the foundation of relationship that makes us feel
safe doing so.

the end