An Inkling
The studies are in: friendship is in trouble in America. Nearly a quarter of Americans report that
they have no close friends, and more than half report two or fewer
confidants. Thirty years of data shows a
surprising drop in the number of friends, and especially in the last two
decades.
Why? That’s harder to figure. Some conjecture that longer working hours and
commutes play a role. Others suggest
that television and home air conditioning have added to our isolation (no porch
sitting or down the street visits).
Whatever the causes, weakened friendships are a troublesome sign for our
society, which very much needs the stability and safety net such friendships
bring.
What does this mean for us as
Christians in metro Richmond? It means
that a lot of our neighbors and co-workers are lonely. However much of they have of gadgetry and the
good life, it doesn’t suffice as a substitute for companionship. We all need friends.
We Presbyterians are famously
inept at evangelism. You may have heard
the old joke: “What do you get when you
cross a Jehovah’s Witness and a Presbyterian?
Someone who knocks on the door, but doesn’t know what to say.” Oh dear.
But what if evangelism were
largely about making friends? It is, and
we can do that. When we build
friendships we build a context for sharing about what is important to us. In time our friends can’t help but know that
Jesus is important to us. That’s a big
part of evangelism.
Who are your friends? Some of them are with you at St. Giles. Because many cultural factors tilt us toward
isolation, we are intentional as a church about fostering friendship. Small Groups, Discipleship Classes, Wednesday
dinners, Sunday lunches, and dozens of ministries all create friendship contexts. Are you making friends here at St.
Giles?
And how about beyond the
church? Who are your non-Christian
friends? How might you build such
relationships? Take the initiative. Join a club, have a neighborhood cook out, go
to lunch with a co-worker. Be
creative. Such simple initiatives both satisfy
our hearts and advance our mission. Be a
friend, make a friend, and thereby serve our Lord.
Blessings,
Keith
