Eighteen years ago, sociologist Robert Putnam published Bowling Alone a book-length essay describing one of the most dangerous phenomena of our time. The title comes from the observation that while bowling is still a popular sport in America, fewer bowlers bowl in leagues and more bowlers bowl alone. Putnam’s point, of course, is not about trends in bowling. His point, well-illustrated, is that we spend less time with one another than ever before. Locked in our houses, glued to our screens, we are not only alone, but lonely. We have lost “social capital,” the one-another resource that nurtures, strengthens, and encourages a healthy person, family, and culture. We weren’t meant to be alone.
Robert Putnam was examining American society. But the contagion of loneliness does not stop at the church door. The infection of loneliness in the church makes for anemic Christians and weak witness.
We weren’t meant to be alone (see Genesis 2:18). And that’s why I love Thursday evenings.
Yes, Faith Acts is back, but this is not meant to be mere program promotion. The church was full last night, but there is room for more. The church was full last night. People were together, and that matters. We weren’t meant to be alone.
Thursday evenings go something like this. People begin to show up for dinner a little after 5:00 for the 5:15 start time. By 5:45 nearly every seat is taken and the Fellowship is abuzz with good conversation and happy children. Well, let’s be honest, we’ve been known to witness a few tired-kid meltdowns. As 6:00 approaches, the dinner crowd is quieted for announcements and singing Happy Birthday to whoever claims a birthday that week. Youth begin to head to the youth lounge and their numbers seem to be growing Thursday by Thursday – good job, Tyler and team. At 6:15 youth group has begun, younger kids are in choir or class (thanks this time to Kay, Holly, and teams). Adults have found their classes, and some people just drink coffee and talk. As round one draws to a close a little before 8:00, round two, adult choir practice, begins.
Yes, the church together. I’ve never taken a Thursday night body count, but my guess is anywhere from 100 to 150 LPC folk are the church together on a Thursday night.
We weren’t meant to be alone, and that’s why I love Thursday evenings. Church night. How old fashioned and how good.
Last night the adults began a study of Colossians 3:12-17. We’re calling in “Church Together.” We’re in the Chapel 6:15-7:45. It was a good crowd last night, but there’s plenty of room for more. This is not mere program promotion. We weren’t meant to be alone. When we spend time together in table fellowship and especially around the Word, anemic Christians become strong and our witness to the world becomes credible.
In a lot of ways it’s easy to stare at a screen, having picked our own site or channel. It’s easier than having to put up with the sharp personality edges and irritating ways of other people, especially church people. I’d rather bowl alone.
But it was God who said, “It is not good to be alone.” Not when alone leads to lonely. The first snap shot of the followers of the Risen Jesus was taken when they were together in an upper room on Easter evening. They were back together when that rush of mighty wind brought the Holy Spirit into their midst never to leave again.
The temptation to go it alone is strong, however. The writer of Hebrews admonishes those who have taken up a bad habit of neglecting to meet together (Hebrews 10:24-25). It’s hard to put up with the sharp personality edges and irritating ways of other people, especially church people. But through our time together, gathered at the table and around the Word, anemic Christians become strong and our witness to the world becomes credible.
See you Sunday, and how about Thursday, as well.