The Ways We Connect
I heard about a study recently where researchers presented three scenarios to a group of teenagers and asked which they would prefer: 1)meet up with friends online, 2)meet up with friends in person and have adults organize some activities for you, or 3) meet up in person with no planed agenda and you and your friends figure it out yourself. Think about it for a second and decide which you would prefer….
Option three was the overwhelming favorite. There’s something noteworthy about this in an age when kids often have everything planned out for them by adults in a very professional and controlled setting. I’ve heard some sociologists point out that the “professionalization of kids sports” has led to the problem of kids not learning how to hash out rules of games with their peers, which leads to anxiety in those kinds of situations as one grows up.
 The Power of Face-to-Face
There’s something that happens when we’re together with no agenda that allows us to connect in a powerful way. That’s one of the reasons I’m such a huge fan of our Wednesday Night Suppers, which kick off in one week, on September 3rd. Even if you don’t have another reason for coming to church on a Wednesday night, there’s something powerful about spending time with others at church while enjoying a quality meal at a great price. You don’t have to be in a dGroup, or have kids in Awana or Student Ministry to enjoy the meal. Come and simply sit at a table with someone you know (or don’t yet know). It’s a powerful way to invest in the social fabric of the church. You can sign up here.
A New Sermon Series
Sunday we wrapped up our series in the book of Proverbs by looking at chapter 31. We will start studying another book of the Bible this Sunday, the New Testament letter of Paul to the Philippians. One topic Paul emphasizes in this letter is the importance of connection, of unity, of relationships built on fellowship in Christ. Whether it’s Sunday morning Life Groups, a sports ministry, Wednesday meals, Fall Festival, or some other event, there are no shortcuts to building community. We have to spend time together. Philippians gives us encouragement to keep pressing on in our spiritual growth for the sake of taking the Gospel to those around us.
Valley View is a Bible-believing, Gospel-centered, prayer-dependent church that seeks to worship and exalt Jesus in all that we do. Keep praying for our church, that we would be part of bringing the message of Jesus Christ all over the South End of Louisville!