Church Community

It seems community is changing rapidly through social media and online gaming.  Even churches now have internet campuses that are doing very well and reaching a large number of people.  I have also noticed a somewhat disturbing trend in at least in my church, that may be due to the new community.  In my undergrad, I did some statistical research on Job Loss and church attendance.  Turns out conventional wisdom is right, and church attendance does go up when job loss rates are higher.  Funny thing is happening right now though, job loss is up and church attendance has not.  In some churches, it has even gone down.

In hard times, people look for support and hope, they turn to churches for both religious assurance and community.  If people are finding community else where, they may feel less need to turn to churches.

I believe the church has to step up and offer real community.  Mega churches attempt to offer this through small groups and traditional churches through Sunday school and the like.  I think more is needed.  In Acts we see believers hanging out all the time, sharing all their meals, and being in constant community.  Churches need to be the social hub for people to come, and share who they are.  The good and the bad.  Churches need to offer community if its hanging out in coffee shops, or invading congregation members houses, or figuring out how to find jobs for others.    Churches have to become more interested in people for people to become more interested in church.

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