Friends and Neighbors

I have read several articles recently that have affirmed what I have been sensing for some time. We are becoming an isolated people with frayed social ties. The Washington Post reported on Friday that this growing trend has resulted in a quarter of Americans saying that they have no one to discuss personal troubles. Reflection on how many of us live our lives make this a plausible statistic. It also helps us understand the popularity of small group ministries within growing churches. The opportunity to build personal relationships makes this focus very attracting to folks needing confidants with whom to share their thoughts and concerns. It would appear that this issue of social isolation needs attention in our cultural institutions, including our churches.