Living in Community

Living in Community: Key Insights on the To Be and Do Podcast

On the latest episode of the To Be and Do podcast, host Philip Amerson dives deep into a critical and often overlooked question: How can we live more interdependently in our communities, rather than focusing solely on individual achievement? “Living in Community” takes us on an insightful journey across healthcare, faith, and everyday social interactions, ultimately reminding us of the power and necessity of building true community.

Here are three key takeaways from the conversation:

1. Reimagining Institutions for Community, Not Just Competition

Amerson opens with a thought-provoking example: discussions around building a new hospital focused on competition, staffing, and resource allocation. But, he asks, what if we shifted our focus from “bigger buildings” and “better equipment” to fostering connections among community health workers and neighbors? The core of his challenge is simple but powerful: “What if we work at building community instead of just buildings, or staff?” Using the wisdom of Dr. John Rich, Amerson points out that real health is often found at the grassroots—not just in professionals with degrees, but among the “natural healers in your neighborhood.” It’s a call for collaboration over competition, for investing in people and relationships as much as physical resources.

2. The Church as a Hub for Self-Awareness and Neighborly Love

Drawing parallels between healthcare and congregational life, Amerson laments how we’ve professionalized not just medicine, but also faith communities. Churches, much like hospitals, have become compartmentalized—places we visit for individual self-fulfillment or services, rather than hubs for interconnected living. He argues that essential spiritual elements have been lost, such as self-awareness and genuine connection to others. Amerson puts it simply: “The love of neighbor begins with recognizing the neighbor, getting off the phone.” Through confession and community, congregations can still provide the space for us to grapple honestly with our shortcomings, understand ourselves, and reach out to those around us.

3. Community Is ‘Caught’ More Than Taught

One of the episode’s most profound insights is Amerson’s assertion that community, leadership, and togetherness are “caught more than taught.” He recounts running a mentoring program for pastors, where inexperienced leaders learned more by walking alongside seasoned mentors than by attending lectures. The same principle applies beyond congregations and churches: building community is an embodied, lived experience. Through everyday acts—like chatting with a nurse, sharing a book, or simply asking someone how their day is—we transform institutions and lives.

In Conclusion:

Philip Amerson leaves us with this essential reminder: self-care begins with self-awareness; love of neighbor requires seeing and engaging with others; and the foundation is an abiding sense of being beloved by God. Whether in hospitals, churches, or on our daily walk around town, it’s in these spaces of authentic presence and shared humanity that we truly “catch” what it means to be in community.

Tune in to “Living in Community” and let its message inspire you to step beyond individualism and start building genuine, interdependent relationships—one small act at a time.