If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 15 years of ministry, it’s this: community doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention. It takes work. And when it’s done well, it makes life richer for everyone.

That’s part of what I hope Palouse Living can be—a place to celebrate the best of life here and to connect people, stories, and ideas that make our towns stronger.

Here are three ingredients I’ve found in every healthy community—whether it’s a church, a small business, or a pickleball league.

ONE | A Shared Purpose
People rally when they know why something matters. A restaurant isn’t just a place to eat—it might be a vision of hospitality or a reminder that family matters. A non-profit isn’t just about solving a problem—it’s about imagining a better world and inviting others to join in. Shared purpose is the magnet that draws people together.

Find creative ways to sprinkle purpose into every environment and interaction. Help people see the vision you’re working toward by providing a great product or service. Sometimes, the simplest way to define your purpose is something like, “we believe the world should be like this…” And then your community is made up of other people who also see the world that way.

TWO | Trust
Trust is built through communication, consistency, and care. Customers, congregants, and neighbors all sense when they’re truly cared for. Communities thrive when people know the leaders have their good in mind.

Here’s a helpful equation to understand trust.
Communication + Consistency + Care = Trust

People have to know that you care, you have to communicate how you care, and then consistently deliver a service or product that demonstrates that you want to serve them and make their life better.

THREE | Stories & Experiences
The strongest communities and businesses don’t just offer products or services—they invite people into a story. Nike sells more than shoes; it sells the identity of “athlete.” In the Palouse, when you shop local, share a meal, or volunteer, you’re stepping into the bigger story of life here. You become someone who makes that story go forward.

Sometimes, inviting people to write the story with you can be as simple as conducting surveys, replying to comments, or taking a little extra time to remember details like names, anniversaries, birthdays, etc.

Give people a voice, and make memories with them, and they’ll be loyal to your community for life. Better yet, they’ll invite everyone they love to join the community with you.

Here’s the truth: community is never passive. Left alone, life drifts toward isolation. But when we invest, connect, and build, we create something better than we could alone.

The Palouse is already a place rich in community. Imagine how much stronger it could be if each of us worked on our own little corners—our business, our church, our classroom, or even just our circle of friends.

So here’s my challenge for you:
What’s one small action you can take this week to shift from being a consumer of community to a creator of community?

And if you want to help build this Palouse Living community, there’s an easy way: forward this newsletter to a friend who loves life here as much as you do.

Keep reading to see a breakdown of events and activities happening this week. If you have anything you’d like included in the newsletter let me know!

That’s it for this week! Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this, send it to some friends who might enjoy it, too. Let’s build our community together.

Until next Thursday,

Keep the Faith