Community

One of the things I struggle with the most as a Christian is the feeling that I don't belong, even among believers in the church. I've had problems with this situation for as long as I can remember. This has been brought home to me yet again through my college experiences of searching for a new steady church to attend. Although people are generally friendly, this is as far as it goes--no one ever seems interested in actually developing a friendship or getting to know the real me.

Thinking back, this is exactly what the pastor at my current new church was getting at with his sermon last Sunday: the level of community within the church--moving from "I know your face (and maybe your name)", to "I know you and you know me". This is so vital to church community. If we can't feel like we are accepted even among our brothers and sisters in Christ, then what is the point of fellowship?!