Get the book, "Bowling Alone," by Robert Putnam. Putnam is an academic and professor of public policy at Harvard. His up close and hands-on observation of American culture is sobering. His book notes how the frayed ties of community are rapidly coming apart at the seams. Christians should use the book for helpful insight on the broken places we are called to minister and how we can help revive "community".
In the first part 1 of this blog post, I cited Boston Globe columnist Ellen Goodman's recent article entitled, "You Are Not Alone In Your Isolation". The article addressed America's dramatic increase in social isolation. The article was based on the study, "Social Isolation in America," co-authored by Duke University sociologist, Lynn Smith-Lovin.
Goodman comments, "Now we are living in smaller, tighter circles. We are 10 degrees of separation from each other and one or two people away from loneliness. And many now outsource intimacy from friends to professional therapists and, gawd help us, talk shows. Who can we talk t o about important matters? Who can we count on?"
Christ-followers need to see the "friendless" society as a wake up call and an opportunity for ministry. Not simply to be put another notch on our ministry gun-belts, or add to our membership rolls, but to offer hope through sincere, and authentic relationships with those who have "no one" to talk to. The solution for this troubling trend has Jesus written all over it. Even Jesus' earthly critics have to admit He was friend to the wounded, outcast, dejected, despised and lonely, and He was always investing in relationships and building community.
This is the work and passion of our Savior. Community is someting we should all be seeking, creating, nurturing, preserving and protecting. My concern is that my own faith community and others will become so safe, comfortable and complacent that we will be reluctant to share our Savior with others. If we do that we cease to be the New Testament church and we become a "bless me" club offering little more than IRS charitable deduction credit.
As long as there are lonely, marginalized, disconnected people we cannot sit idle! The love of Christ compels us to love others. Hopefully, years from now when sociologists look back they will note what a big part Christians played in reversing social isolation. On a practical note, what's something you can do for a neighbor (the one you hardly know) today? A potted plant, fresh baked cookies, bread or cake can open the fence of isolation. Who knows, they may be overwhelmed and blown away by the personal contact. Let's blow our neighbors away with love!
No comments:
Post a Comment