Needing and Building Relationships

by Pastor Larry Bennett

Would you be surprised to learn that many people feel isolated even in the one place they should feel the most welcome - the church? That is what George Barna discovered in Virtual America (1994). His studies revealed the following amazing statistics:

• 55% of all non-Christian Americans believe that it is getting harder to make lasting friendships.

• 62% of born-again Christians claim it is getting harder to make lasting friendships.

• 73% of all evangelical Christians are finding it difficult to make real friends.

What conclusion can we come to after seeing these statistics? It appears that we as a church and as individuals must do a better job of helping those who attend The Chapel to connect with other believers in the friendship building process. How can we do that? One very important way of building the kind of friendships/relationships that every one of us needs is through our Adult Bible Fellowships (ABFs).

What is an ABF?

An ABF is a congregation within a congregation. As the church gets larger people need to be in smaller, more intimate groups for in-depth Bible study, prayer and fellowship that is not possible in a worship service. ABFs are one way of meeting this need. 

An ABF should be viewed as a long term, friendship-fostering commitment. Consider the following when choosing an ABF: age, life stages, interests, level of spiritual development, parenting circumstances, presence of friends, and Bible study approach. Using this criteria will enable you to find a group of people with whom you can fellowship for many years.

How do I get started?

The best way to get started is simply to pick one or two of the ABFs listed and try one each Sunday for a couple of weeks. Once you try an ABF, we believe that you will see the potential for friendships and spiritual growth that an ABF can offer. 

So, why not try an ABF this Sunday?