Transforming congregations must clearly encourage and demonstrate two types of relationships that produce true friendships. First, there must be an obvious and sincere dimension of relationships within the congregational fellowship. People must love and like one another in a way that creates and sustains Christian community.
Second, there must be an obvious and sincere dimension of relationships with the community or affinity context the congregation is called to serve. The development of relationship with people in the context who need an ever-deepening relationship with the Triune God and a Christian community must be a hallmark characteristic of the congregation.