Good Monday morning!
It is going to be a beautiful day “in the neighborhood.” Enjoy it because tomorrow it’s back to 39 degrees. That’s a lot like life isn’t it? Good followed by some bad?
I am continuing to dig in and look at how we can become better known within this neighborhood. I am meeting this afternoon with the young man who wondered in to our church yesterday and then asked for prayers during our prayer time. He said he was in a dark place. I am going to go out on a limb and say that a good portion of what is going on is that he lacks real connection to someone or something that is meaningful. I will let you know.
If loneliness is the issue, he is not alone. According to a Harvard Graduate School of Education report, there is what is being called an epidemic of loneliness in our country:
- People between 30-44 years of age were the loneliest group — 29% of people in this age range said they were “frequently” or “always” lonely
- Among 18–29 year-olds the rate was 24%
- For 45–64 year-olds, the rate was 20%
- Adults aged 65 and older reported the lowest rate: 10% felt lonely
Those are astounding numbers given the amount of “social technology” that is being used. The problem is, there are a lot of acquaintances being made, a lot of influencers being followed but there are very few relationships being made. I mean, real “ginosko” kinds of relationships. Ginosko means “to know”. It can also mean “to learn to know” or “come to know.” This is an experiential knowledge gained through doing life together. Kind of like learning about your neighbor. It is knowing their hopes and dreams, what motivates them, what is hurting them and what life is like for them.
Carey Nieuwhof is a pastor, an author and speaker who focuses on helping churches make a greater impact in their communities. Here are a few quotes I have picked up in my reading lately from Carey that should help us to see that “being a loving neighbor” is a good thing.
When the church becomes a club or already-convinced insiders, then the church has lost its mission. (Club could also be construed as holy-huddle! P.R.)
This isn’t ‘church growth for the sake of church growth.’ If that’s all it is, it will fail. Churches that just want to grow to prop up the institution, pad their numbers or simply want “a story to tell” miss the point. (We shouldn’t be interested in building an MABC kingdom but helping to build “the Kingdom.” P.R.)
And finally…If God’s love truly compels us to reach out to the world, if we genuinely care about our neighbors who are not like us, and if we truly decide to love our enemies, the world might come running. But right now, the church is spectacularly easy to ignore or dismiss. (Ouch! P.R)
Please be in prayer about how we might reach “our neighbors,” neighbors like the young man who was wandering the street yesterday and saw that worship began at 10:30 am. It was 10:15 am and he thought…might as well go in. Thank you to those who took the time to speak to him.
It made him feel valued. ( L.O.Valued E..)
Pastor Rick
