According to the Barna Research Group, 31% of U.S.A. adults report feeling lonely at least some of each day. Their report – posted at the end of last 2021 – highlights that even before the pandemic, loneliness has been an issue in America. But Barna data on relationships as well as research among younger generations both in the U.S.A. and globally have highlighted how people have begun to feel even more isolated and disconnected.
Seems like this could be a way the practices faith communities could meet a real world need. A major part of local faith communities is the formation of groups of real people who become family for each other. Sadly the church often weaponizes community, so that people only belong if the belief or act like the group… isn’t Christ’s practice of welcome even more open… even more welcoming… who does Jesus eat with? Who does God consider God’s children?
Peace, dwight
