Our current sermon series entitled Becoming Community has me thinking quite a bit recently about what it means to live in community. I realize this is not much of a surprise given the topic! Community takes different forms, and even church communities look quite different. There are differences in church communities based on geography, predominant ethnicity, size, denomination, and all sorts of other characteristics.
As I think about the churches in which I’ve participated over the years, I’ve also seen a difference in how one might become involved in those communities. In a smaller church you might only be a stranger once, while in a larger church it might feel as though you disappear into a sea. But the interesting thing is that beyond the environment, our own actions and initiative contribute to how we engage.
One thing I’ve learned pretty quickly is that in any church (and likely the same can be said for other communities), no matter how many programs we create or how much the church advertises or tries to connect, it takes some initiative for individuals to feel a part of the community. The opportunities are aplenty, but you can’t sit by and wait for community to come to you – it just doesn’t work that way.
I was talking recently with someone who had been attending Pinnacle for a while but did not know many people. And then they took a chance and attended an event where they met a few people. Once they met those people, they then started talking with some other folks – they made connections. Very quickly they felt a new sense of community … all because they went to one event.
I’ve also been impressed with our deacons who are leading our hospitality time after worship. Recently, I learned that they’ve reached out to newer members to help serve so that they could meet new people! And what a joy it has been for them! I’ve lightheartedly said that I’ve met more people at church cutting fruit in a kitchen than just about any other way.
I’ll be a little more blunt. You will never find community at church if you don’t try. It won’t find you, and church isn’t a passive experience. The good news is that we are here to help connect you! Our pastors and program staff are always ready to help connect you with others and with ways to meet new people. And we love doing it!
The beauty of becoming community is that God uses our relationships with one another to help us grow in faith, find comfort on the journey, and learn more about ourselves and the God we worship. Becoming community is being the church and living as the Body of Christ. I pray that you’ll find joy in growing closer to others at Pinnacle, however you might do so.
