Life by Design

Build a life by design, not by accident — and leave behind a story worth telling.

The Church

The body of Christ is essential, not optional

You can’t follow Jesus alone. Christianity isn’t a solo sport. God designed you to be part of a body—His church. Not the building, the people. The gathered, committed community of believers who follow Jesus together.

The church isn’t perfect. It’s full of sinners being transformed by grace. You’ll be disappointed by people. You’ll see hypocrisy. You’ll encounter conflict. That’s not a reason to leave—it’s why you stay. The church is where imperfect people become more like Christ together.

Too many Christians treat church like a consumer experience. They attend when it’s convenient, leave when they’re offended, and never truly commit. That’s not biblical Christianity. The New Testament assumes you’re part of a local church—known, accountable, serving, growing.

Here’s what it means to be part of the church the way God designed.

The 4 core principles:

1
Commit
Join a local church formally. Become a member. Submit to the leadership. Make a covenant with this specific body of believers. Don't just attend—belong. Membership isn't about control; it's about accountability, care, and mutual commitment to each other's spiritual growth.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” — Hebrews 13:17
2
Gather
Show up every week for corporate worship. Don't skip unless you're sick or traveling. Sunday gathering isn't optional for the Christian life. You need the preaching of God's Word, the encouragement of other believers, the reminder that you're part of something bigger than yourself. Participate in baptism and the Lord's Supper when the church observes them.
“Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:25
3
Serve
Use your gifts to build up the body. Every believer has been given spiritual gifts—teaching, encouraging, helping, giving, leading, showing mercy. Don't just consume; contribute. Serve in a ministry. Meet needs. Do the unglamorous work that keeps the church functioning. You're not a spectator; you're a participant.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” — 1 Peter 4:10
4
Fellowship
Live out the one-another commands. Love one another. Encourage one another. Bear one another's burdens. Confess sins to one another. Pray for one another. This isn't just showing up on Sunday—it's doing life together. Know people. Be known. Let others into your mess. Be in community.
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

START HERE: Start by visiting churches this Sunday. Find one that preaches the Bible faithfully, practices church discipline, and takes membership seriously. Once you find it, join. Don’t wait until it’s perfect—it won’t be. Commit, show up, serve, and build relationships. That’s church.

WHAT CHANGES: When you’re truly part of a church, you stop living isolated and start living connected. You have people who know you, pray for you, challenge you, and walk with you through hard seasons. You grow faster because you’re sharpened by others. You serve and discover gifts you didn’t know you had. You’re held accountable when you drift. You’re encouraged when you’re weak. You become who God designed you to be—not alone, but together.

The church isn’t perfect, but it’s God’s plan. And when you commit to it, you become part of something that will last forever.

READY FOR STRUCTURE?: Start The Church Challenge → – One principle per week, building your commitment to the local body of Christ.