5. They’re not finding community.
The Barna study points out that despite a growing epidemic of loneliness, only 10 percent report going to church to find community.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s because people expect the church is the last place they’ll find community. And that’s tragic.
Of the many criticisms that can be levied at the church, lack of community shouldn’t be one.
Nobody should be able to out-community the local church.
You can make a legitimate argument that one of the reasons behind the explosive growth of the first-century church was because of the way they loved each other and the world. Love should be a defining characteristic of the local church.
If we loved the way Jesus loved, people would line up out the door.
As your church grows larger, small groups become essential. For us at Connexus, everyone has a place in a group…from preschoolers right through to seniors. No matter how big or awesome the weekends might be (and they can be awesome), small group is where life change happens deepest.
Personally, I’m so grateful for research like this latest Barna data. It can only help us get better at being the church as Christ called us to be.
If you have to add more reasons, what would you add?
Any other ideas on what could help all of us in the local church better realize our mission?
