How do we not lose our faith when we lose confidence in our local church?

Or how do we not lose our faith when we feel in the collected or pushed out of a local

church community?

This is a really sharp question today from a listener named Sarah in Houston, Texas,

Pastor John.

Among my friends, I fear I see a form of Christianity that finds its impetus in a person's ability

to settle into the social life of a local church.

There's a pressing towards maturity as a community ideal, doing the things other believers make

a habit of, Bible reading, weekly worship, small group gatherings, etc.

But it all lacks a God-focused center in the individual's life of faith.

It's a conformity to community expectations which is not a bad thing in itself.

The problem comes when one of these believers, quote unquote, feels socially slided or

pushed out.

Maybe she feels the pastor is more distant than he was in the past, or her overall friendships

have grown colder, and her sense of belonging in a particular church waivers at the relational

level.

And then, she finds that her faith grumbles to the dust as she turns away from God altogether.

How can we guard ourselves and one another, Pastor John, from mistaking a sense of belonging

within a community to genuine faith in God?

Wow.

This is a very astute observation about contemporary Christian experience.

And maybe it went by so fast, Tony, I wonder if people actually heard what Sarah is saying.

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