Organic Connections

It is amazing how humans yearn for connection. The proliferation of social media, match or dating sites, and blogging testify to the desire deep within the human spirit for real and meaningful connection. And yet for many.....the desire goes unfulfilled.
Most curious to me is that so many in the Visible Church today are just as unfulfilled. It is something that testifies against our understanding of the commands to true Christian unity and fellowship. Why is it the Church has gone silent in this area? I remember my childhood where the ability to connect in a church was much different. We all lived in a small town and those families that were in the church kept up with each other. There was genuine connection where everyone's lives touched another and helped meet their needs. We did our communal 3rd Sunday of the month potluck, but that was not the real meat of the fellowship. When someone was sick, someone in the church knew about it and let the others know to pray for them. Where there was a job loss, others in the church took it upon themselves to add it to the prayer team and make sure that the families needs were met through meals in the home and financial assistance. These sorts of simple things have all but disappeared from most of our churches. Today, someone has to make a post themselves on their twitter or facebook account to let others know what is going on. The usual response, lets say, on Facebook is that a small percentage of their 'friends' comment on the post and then it is left to the wayside. True and meaningful connection has not happened, and that person with 564 'friends' on Facebook can feel very lonely and depressed indeed.
We need to rethink the way our churches operate. People who do not have a sense of connection are going to more than likely leave the church but worse yet, they will often not succeed in the Christian walk. They will not have roots, they will have no one around them to stand with them in their hour of temptation, and they will not feel they have anyone to be vulnerable with or accountable with. As pastors and leaders we must stop the pulpit nonsense. I am not for abandoning Sunday morning teaching (or Saturday of that's your thing) because we need teachers and we need large group gatherings. But while we do not let go of that, we need to eagerly find ways to allow people in our congregations to connect with each other. It needs to be organic, it needs to have life and sustainability. It needs to be safe. Sure, your probably thinking, as you roll your eyes.....like *that* could be possible. But I assure you that it IS possible! I am not saying it is without risk - but if you do not deal with the problem you are taking the greatest risk of all!
Small groups and raising up multiple layers of leaders in the church is one of the safest and most sound ways to accomplish this. People are going to find ways to connect and it is in our churches and spiritual communities where this should be happening most and first! Of all the places people should ever find a fulfilling sense of connection it should be in the Church of Christ. For there they can connect with their Creator and with their brothers and sisters in Christ.