The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Level of fellowship with the young in faith

Good morning, Paul and Dave,

I've been reading your exchange about reaching out in friendship and I must tell you that it has been a balm for my soul.

We have been members of a church for nearly two years. We are involved in service and have been diligent in trying to establish close relationships with the people in our church. We've reached out in more ways that I can tell you, but it seems at times as though we'll never make close friends with anyone at the church. Rich Mullins put it this way, "Some people are friendly, but they'll never be your friend." We are a friendly, welcoming church but after the initial welcome it seems most are satisfied with the way things are and have always been. There doesn't seem to be room in their lives for "new people." Lately, this has been very heavy on my heart, to the point of deep sadness and even loneliness. I tend to be a stoic myself, and at the same time a bit of a Pollyanna. (or a Steve Erkle--"I'n wearing you dowwwnnn. . .!!!) But lately it has really been hard and I have felt like giving up--even as recently as last night!

Paul said:

"I would rather err on the side of 'offered fellowship rejected' than 'needed fellowship withheld'."

It's a good reminder to me. I hadn't thought of it in those terms, but that had been my response until recently when I began to just feel like giving up.

I am also reminded of another Paul's admonition from Galatians:

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Thanks for your encouragement this morning. You may never know who may be reading these posts, nor how God can use them to minister to the readers.