Do's and Don'ts for promoting a Healthy Community

Shalom everyone,  this is a excerpt from a book called "Truth Verses Man's Religious Systems" by our friend and Brother Terry W. McHenry. Enjoy!

1. Be a giver, not a taker.
2. Think community first, others next, and yourself last.
3. Be a part of community building, not a part of community destruction (i.e., be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem).
4. Recognize we are each a work in progress, at different stages. We each receive, and wrestle with, the revelation of our Hebraic roots at different times, and in different ways.
5. Be humble, and not right for right's sake. No one has all the answers.
6. Value your brother or sister in Messiah for what you can mutually learn together, and then practice hand in hand, to become more Messiah like. We need each other to mature in our walk. Realize differing perspectives can actually be healthy in a learning environment. They nurture growth–so long as they are dealt with correctly. 
7. A healthy community is a training ground, not simply a social gathering, not a forum to impress others.
8. Be committed and sincere in your walk, not simply partially engaged. 
9. Be prideless in what you know, not prideful of what you know. Remember: understanding and wisdom are required for life application of Elohim's instructions. 
10. Knowledge without understanding is at best dangerous, at worst it can become a cancer within a community setting.
11. Seek understanding for wisdom, not knowledge for power.
12. Be respectful of others, and considerate, merciful, compassionate, edifying, forgiving, caring, and humble.
13. Be loving toward others, not lording over others (Remember 1 Cor. 13).
14. Be aware at times we all make mistakes, or miss-speak, or miss-judge, or offend others. Be prepared and open for the Holy Spirit to correct you, and to repent and do teshuva.
15. Be aware that wounded, damaged, or hurting people often tend to wound, damage, or hurt other people. Satan often uses the wounded as vessels for his deceptions and evil intentions. We must be sensitive, loving, and compassionate but cautious that we don't get pulled down, either individually or corporately. 
16. Remember that the enemy (Satan) hates biblical community, and will do anything or use anyone to destroy it. 
17. Don't engage in L'shon Harah (the evil tongue), and be conscious of anyone who attempts to engage you in it.
18. Look around and be sensitive to what needs to be done to work together as community. Pitch in and help, for example, with setup and cleanup. 
19. Realize we can only change ourselves. Whereas, the Holy Spirit can change us all, but it will be in His timing and manner, and done with infinitely more wisdom than we possess.
20. Informed study of the Scriptures is a wonderful and fulfilling pursuit for gaining deeper truths Elohim desires for us to see in his Word. However, there is an inherent danger in the wonderment and enthusiasm of learning these deeper truths–Pride. And pride of course is a sin, as Scripture clearly informs us.

In Conclusion
Prayerfully ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you desire to be a part of a healthy community, grounded in Elohim's Word?
2. Are you willing to commit to this community by contributing your part in building a healthy community? 
3. Are you aware that from time-to-time we will be tested as a community; will we pass the testing?