By: Kim Spence, Intern

Editor’s Note: Faith Beyond Belief is grateful for the four interns who helped us with our summer program preparation, and without whom our Engage program would have been impossible. We are especially proud that intern Kim Spence has taken it upon herself to write a second blog exposing the great need of her generation.

Recently, I took a university philosophy class that focused on topics relevant to today's society, but that strayed from a Biblical way of thinking. The class discussions focused heavily on sexuality, marriage, abortion etc., and honestly, I tended to leave the class feeling quite disheartened. Fortunately, I gave these emotions to God but was also able to bring them up for discussion in my Christian community and church group. Doing so made me ponder about the other people within that class. Christian or not, did they have a similar community to help align their minds and feelings to truth again or were they forced to try to find answers on their own? Suddenly I realised the importance a Christian community has in my life.

In the class I also discovered the questions young people around my age (21) are asking. Is church important? If I can have a relationship with God on my own, then why do I need Church? How does church benefit my relationship with God? Young Christians are alone, and struggling, especially in a digital age that for the past two years has been combined with enforced isolation. I now believe that a  church community based on the foundation of Jesus’ social practices is crucial to all young Christians and uniquely necessary for one’s faith to deepen. 

Church is not categorised by one specific definition. It can be a mega church, a small church meeting in a basement, a movie theatre, a home, or a life group; this list is not exhaustive. When there is worship, biblical teaching, and fellowship, that is where the church is, that is where Christian community is found (Acts 2: 42). But nowadays people easily connect to others online, and although not all digital connections are negative, they cannot equal the depth of relationships found within a church. Community is imperative, especially for young people growing up in societies that cater to self-idolization. We need support, and we need fellow Christians to be available to  speak into our lives. By no means is the church perfect, but if you belong to Jesus you are a part of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27), and He has ordained to minister His own grace and love through other Christians. Moreover, God has a purpose for the church that can never be fulfilled online; we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world (Matthew 28:19-20).

Digital isolation has become so normal that people have lost the ability to imagine life any other way. The “self-help” ideology that emphasises getting away from everyone and treating yourself has taken over young people’s minds. As Christians, we are called to leave behind the distractions of life in order to enhance our fellowship with God (Matthew 14:23, Luke 5:16), but many people are trapped in unhealthy uses of isolation. These include young adults who are stepping into new “seasons of life”–moving out, finding careers, and most importantly choosing what to believe in and how they will live their lives. To make good decisions a foundational community is crucial. The Bible teaches that isolation can lead to prioritising our desires, and that can become a minefield for the devil's temptations (Proverbs 18:1, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Finding a Christ-filled community, involving yourself in ministry, and choosing to connect with like-minded people is a calling God has placed within all his followers (Romans 12:5).

As humans, we are meant to have relationships with one another. Jesus chose twelve specific people with whom to have intentional relationships. In the same way, when we are called to Christ we are called to form similar bonds, practice accountability, and fully support one another as we strive toward the same goal, to be image bearers of God (Matthew 26:39). The easiest place to find these communities is within a church. It gives you a place to be with like-minded people, to use your gifts to serve, and to be equipped for ministry to the world. A foundational community provides the proper accountability to realign a person’s thinking and provide answers to the questions of this corrupting world (Ephesians 4:11-14). Furthermore, we are called to fellowship together because we are one body (Hebrews 10: 24-25, Galatians 6:2).

So where do you go from here? Pray. Pray for guidance and opportunities to arise as God does not neglect to hear our prayers (Psalm 66:19). Find a bible teaching church community nearby, a young adult group, a youth group, or a small group, or reach out to others and get connected. Check out Faith Beyond Belief courses, conferences or Engage camp where you can meet people who want to continuously build into their faith and have a solid foundation in Jesus. 

Church and community are gifts given by God, and though Jesus may love us when we’re outside the body, outside of church we are separated from the fullness of His life! Like an organ removed from the human body, we risk death when separated from His body. Church is not just a place you go, it is where you come alive. When Jesus says “Come and follow me,” he does not distinguish between Himself and His people (I Cor. 12:12-27). To follow Him, you must be embedded in His body.

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