WHY Community?

We are all bombarded with information on a daily basis. If you stop for a moment and think about all the sources of information that hit you on a daily basis, it can be overwhelming. The strange thing is that in an information-heavy culture, we can tend to be a community-starved people. Pollster George Gallup has said, “Americans are among the loneliest people in the world.” This statement sounds strange due to the fact that we are around more people than any previous generation. Another author has coined the term “crowded loneliness” which seems to fit what many in our world are feeling today. We are around many people but are known by very few. God has hard-wired us to be in relationship with other people. We see that reflected throughout the Bible as God used people in other people’s lives. If you could plot this concept on a chart, it could look something like this:

We are all trending toward isolation or community. Think about the last few major decisions you made in life. Who did you talk to about your decision? If you are married, with whom besides your spouse, did you through decision? What is something that you are praying for? Who is praying with you for this request? What is one area of your life that you think God wants you to give to Him? Who is helping support you as you seek to surrender this area of your life to God?

In the Bible, James tells us “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”  I realize that I can tend to deceive myself, and I recognize that I need people in my life who are asking me questions, praying for me, and supporting me as I seek to do what God is telling me to do. This is WHY Community is so important. Our spiritual growth requires experiencing community with others who are likewise seeking to grow in their relationships with Christ.

Steve Giddens -Director of Group Life

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