RE: "When our churches are genuine communities of love...."

How can congregations best make an assessment along these lines and, upon recognizing opportunities for improvement, pursue them cheerfully? An internet search for "assessing church health" returns a number of approaches.

And even a little bit of individual initiative can make a difference. There can be joy in simply looking for ways to be a blessing to someone else before or after each worship service -- deliberately taking an interest in someone new, asking how they are doing, and listening well for at least a few moments.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb. 10:24-25 ESV).

It seems to me that the kind of interaction depicted in that Bible verse is not merely an incidental result of being in the same sanctuary at the same time for worship. Rather, it is a loving exhortation to be sure to engage one another helpfully and even creatively so as to increase hope in God and fulfill our calling, to our joy and His glory.