Can you build belonging and biblical community one taco at a time?
That was the idea the Sherman and Robarge families had, and what was once an evening of two families coming together for a weekly taco night, has turned into a group of forty gathering together on a weekly basis.
The idea was simple: invite people over for tacos. No fancy decorations, no agenda, just food, conversation, and an invitation.
The Shermans had no idea who would show up. Would anyone show up? Surprisingly, the response was overwhelming.
“What I love about Taco Tuesday is some of us don’t have a big family network so when we started coming here it was really the community that was created here has become my family. When you are going through hard things, when you are celebrating something, there’s always someone who is going to be there to encourage you or to cry with you or to hug you. It’s that one day a week that you know you will actually get that connection with people, and that means the world to me.” —Edna, Taco Tuesday attendee
As we think about building belonging in apartment communities, the wisdom gained from the Shermans is simple:
“It takes that one step of courage and it starts small. It has to start small.”
CHALLENGES
OPTION 1: Community-focus challenge
Your Turn: What simple way could you bring your neighbors together this week? It doesn’t have to be tacos. It could be coffee on the porch or a game night. Community starts with one small invitation.
OPTION 2: Faith-centered challenge
This Week’s Challenge: Pray about one way you could open your home or your heart to your neighbors. Ask God to show you how to build connections right where you live and then take one small step toward it.
OPTION 3: Option 3: Story-Inspired Challenge
The Shermans started with one set of neighbors and a plate of tacos. What could your version of Taco Tuesday look like? Challenge yourself to host one simple gathering this month and see what happens when community grows around your table.
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*This post is a part of the fall series From Door to Discipleship. This series focuses on taking relationships in apartment communities from the door to a discipling relationship. Catch up on what others are doing by jumping in our online community of people from all over the U.S. who are seeing, loving, and disciplining residents in apartment communities.
