Our world is hungry for connection.
People are desperate to belong somewhere. Because of technological advancements and virtual social platforms, we are seemingly more connected than ever online, yet, in reality, we are more isolated than ever. The need to be known and loved has become more apparent in each of us. The culture we live in has found momentary solutions for this isolation with a resurgence of spaces like food courts, clubs, and interest groups.
Should the church’s solution for this isolation be even more clubs and interest groups? Should we, as believers, sink too into the noise of counterfeit community and fellowship in the name of unspiritual common ground?
Christian gatherings must be different. Rather than building our fellowship on a hobby, food, or really anything this world has to offer, our gatherings must consist of a deeper commonality—One that is unfading. A deeper commonality that does not depend on a person’s background, season of life, denomination, skin color, country of origin, income, interests, or education. The deeper commonality is Jesus (Acts 4:32), is it not?
In our home groups, connection groups, and church-wide community, our motivation to gather must not be built on Enneagram types or selfish desires. The intention and drive should come from our deep love and confidence in the Lord God. Then community thrives and bends to the shape of God’s will. We begin to look more like Christ and the lonely, isolated ones around us begin to be drawn into that contagious, family-like love.
Those whom the world pushed aside—the marginalized, the poor, the awkward, the “misfit”—the Church begins to pull in and embrace. Our diversity within community will not obstruct our ability to connect, but only push us deeper into using our differences to unite within our one commonality—Jesus Christ (Acts 4:32). For those that are drawn in but do not hold our commonality in Christ, they will come to know Him because of our love for one another (John 13:34-35).
Oh brothers and sisters, we can have the kind of community that leaves us humble and brings the lost sheep into the fold. Imagine a world where the non-believer says to himself, “I need community. I need to belong. I should go to church.” We can be that.
And we can be that simply because we learned community from God, Who gathered us to Himself by His grace (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). We did not earn the right to sit at His table (John 15:16), but rather, He joined us to Himself and made us sons and daughters (1 John 3:2). We were outcast and isolated, yet He saw us at our worst and still chose to gather us to His side as co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). Likewise, let us gather with purpose.
In closing, here are some questions to consider:
Do I seek out isolated people in order to intentionally connect them to Christian community?
Am I spiritually contributing to my small group, connection class, etc.?
How can I create a space for a group of diverse people to connect over Christ?
Do all the people I commune with look, talk, act, and live the same? If so, how can I diversify and grow?
Have I thanked the Lord for gathering me to Himself?
Let’s not ignore the isolated or remain that way ourselves. True community is a gift available to us all.
Meet the Author!
Hannah Hanzel is an opinionated, passionate gal that loves sharing what God is doing in her often busy and complicated life. She strives to show God's glory in working as the Art Director for the Baptist Messenger, serving as a multi-client freelance graphic designer, and communing with CRBC. When she's not working, you can find her sipping coffee in a hammock, watching classic '40s movies, or going on an adventure with friends or family.
