Community incorporates the power of both face-to-face relationships and rules and norms. We tend to trust information from people we know. "Right" and "wrong" tend to be identified with community norms, "the way we do things." We grant authority to recognized community leaders. Challenges to—or changes in—authority arouse discomfort. Our values and beliefs tend to be formed by the groups we belong to. Identity—even one's identity in faith—tends to be tied to the groups in which we participate. Thus, to the question "Are you a Christian?" the response may be, "Yes, I'm a member of First Church on the corner."

After building a communal experience through Bible study and personal storytelling in small groups, we continue to build on the communal stage by looking at statements from church leaders and resources on issues from the churches. There may be disagreement about the content of particular statements, but in each case we can say, "These are statements from authorities in our community. We should try to find out what they are saying." Other communal resources include work in small groups, activities for families, and agencies for action within the system.