The Joy of Building Community: A conversation with Noel
Noel, 3rd Congre
Noel
Joshua: I'd like to invite Noel up to the stage with me. Please put your hands together. Let's welcome Noel. Thank you. This is a special segment where we'll be thinking a little bit more and hearing from Noel, who has kindly agreed to just share. Come, come. Come to the center, Noel. Come, welcome. He'll be sharing with us a little bit more about his experience finding community here at Redemption Hill Church. It's just our way of helping us understand a little bit more about life that ordinary Redemption Hill Church members and churchgoers have experienced.
So with that said, Noel, how long have you been at RHC for? About two years now. Two years now? Okay. And when you first came, what was it like? Were there any challenges with finding community?
Noel: So for me, my challenge has always been internal. Growing up, I struggled a lot with seeing community or Christian community as something that's God's plan or God's blessing and design. So I think when I first came to RHC in 2023, I had this idea that I'm going to keep my faith private just between me and God. Yeah, and it took me a while to realize just how it is not only against the Bible, but also not true, like I'm not self-sufficient. But then it also didn't make community easier, so I was still very prideful and very introverted. So, yeah, thank God he answered my prayers. One day after service, Yeah, I just somehow had a courage to speak to somebody else at a ballroom and one thing led to another. I was invited to visit a CG that is now my CG. Whose CG is that? That would be, I mean, Yngwen's and Chia's, but led by Xiaochun and Sarah. Okay, okay. Yeah, so I guess it's been two years. I'm still struggling with a lot of these things, but at the same time, I can say that the gospel has really transformed the way I see community. So, yeah.
Joshua: I'm glad to hear that. And for those of you who might find him a familiar face, he says he's an introvert and I guess he bears fruit in that by serving as an usher. He serves as an usher. So for those of you out there who feel a similar challenge and yearning to test your introversion, you can have a chat with Noel about that. It's been a joy having you, getting to know you, brother. Are there particular joys that you've experienced through this processing, working out this challenge?
Noel: Yeah, I mean, it's very wonderful to be part of a community that's shown me God's welcome. And I guess it really encourages me to want to extend the same welcome to others, even though sometimes it feels hard. So one of the easiest ways I could do it is by imitating what a lot of you are doing, like coming to service early or leaving a little later. On the days when I feel brave enough, I can brave myself to talk to somebody I don't know. And I guess it's been a joy to… But even as I got to know some brothers and sisters more deeply, I'm also learning to share not just the good parts of my life, but also things I struggle with. I've been so encouraged by just the gentle love and care that I received. It really showed me in a very small way, well, at least that God who knows me so intimately knows and yet still sent his beloved son. And it doesn't just stop there, like forgiveness. It also, you know, God wants me to grow and to be more like Jesus. And I'm seeing how community is like one very important part.
Joshua: That's personally encouraging for me in that you are reminding me the gospel that we speak about, that we hear about all the time. You are reminding me that so much of that, you've experienced it. And even in this process of meeting new people, getting to be a part of the life of the church, and you are recognizing that fundamentally that that's actually part of God's design. So there might be some in our midst who perhaps also feel, whether it's introversion, whether it's just maybe don't really think of their faith as something that requires the rest of the body, but they're not ready to take the leap of faith like you to be an usher. Are there any other sort of words of encouragement that you'd offer to them?
Noel: I guess I have two short encouragement. I mean, at least I hope that everybody believes or accepts or agrees with me that being part of the body of Christ is such an immense blessing, right? But if you're like me, Yeah, community can be difficult and it feels impossible sometimes. And I guess my encouragement is to not stop trying. We're not alone. You can ask God for help. Start with a small step like saying hi to somebody. And Yeah, and keep reminding yourself that we are part of the church only because of the gospel, not because of how good we are. And I guess for those of you who are already doing it, I just wanted to encourage you to keep doing what you're doing, welcoming and helping integrating people who are new or disconnected. So, yeah, thank you.
Joshua: Thanks, Noel. Thank you.