Page 67 - Digital Church in a Lonely World

There is this myth out there of “finding the right church.” It’s kind of like spotting a unicorn in the wild.
It is this mythical place, this beautiful community, that one day we will find.

Obviously, we need to find a church we resonate with. Yet the reality is that genuine community is
created, not stumbled upon.

In Acts 2, it says they devoted themselves to fellowship and the Apostles’ teaching. The commitment to
share life with others in Christian community must come from the individual. We can’t have someone
else devote themselves on our behalf and we reap the benefits. I like to say it this way: “Family is
built, not discovered.” In other words, if you are looking for community and friendship, no number of
programs, events or conferences can ever substitute for each person’s responsibility to build a family. We
need to be a part of the solution.

Here are a few practical suggestions I give to people in my local church to help them build community:

• Put down long-term roots and invest at least 12 months to building new friendships.
• Organically meet the needs of people within that church community, while praying for them.
• Find a team to volunteer in. Most churches are in need of more volunteer help.
• When you attend church in person, arrive a few minutes early and stay a bit longer after the
service to connect with others.
• Try to be consistent with your attendance. It builds relational momentum with people.
• Engage in some kind of social connection beyond weekend church services.
• Value important moments in other people’s lives—birthday parties, weddings, funerals, backyard
barbecues, graduations.
• At church, make sure you are always building a new friendship with someone.
• Look for ways to draw the circle wider and bring people outside of church into your community.

Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are
of the household of faith.”

“Household of faith” is the language of family. Christian living in the New Testament was seen within
the context of Christian community. The investment you make in fostering community will be worth it.

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