Episode 27

27 - The Community Jesus Built

27 - The Community Jesus Built

I talk about the book When the Church Was a Family by Joseph H. Hellerman and the importance of being a part of a Christian community, drawing inspiration from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s commitment to his community in Germany despite the dangers. Hellerman emphasizes the need for an authentic Christian community and criticizes American individualism and familyism. I agree with the importance of community but also acknowledge the challenges of finding the right fit and participating fully. The episode concludes with a call to consider how our decisions can benefit the community of believers.

When the Church Was a Family YouTube

https://www.biola.edu/directory/people/joe-hellerman

https://smallstepswithgod.com/?p=221

Jill’s Links


https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

Twitter SmallStepsPod

Email the podcast at jill@smallstepswithgod.com

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Small Steps with God
Walking with God, one small step at a time

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Jill McKinley

I’m Jill from the Northwoods. Professionally, I work in Health IT, where I untangle complex systems and help people use technology more effectively. But at heart, I’m a curious lifelong learner—always exploring how things work, why people grow the way they do, and how even the smallest steps can spark real transformation. That curiosity fuels everything I do, from problem-solving at work to sharing insights through my creative projects.

My journey wasn’t always easy. Growing up, I faced a rough childhood, and books became my lifeline. They introduced me to voices of ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and the natural world around me. Those pages taught me resilience, gave me perspective, and helped me see that wisdom is everywhere—waiting to be noticed, gathered, and shared.