Those who know me know that my main form of exercise is running. I started running in 2012 and have absolutely fallen in love with the sport. This comes from someone who couldn’t walk a mile prior to taking up the habit. Now, I run every day. For me it is more than exercise; it is part of my spiritual disciplines because I don’t listen to music or audio books, instead I spend the time talking to God and listening for God’s voice. I also spend some of the time strategizing, problem solving, and figuring out my day. In addition to my daily practice of running, I will participate in races throughout the year, at a variety of distances from 1 mile up to a marathon (26.2 miles). One of my favorite races is the Bird-in-Hand Half marathon. This race takes place near Lancaster, PA in the heart of Amish country, many of whom participate and volunteer. The slogan for this race is “Vella Shpringa,” which is a A Pennsylvania Dutch phrase that means: “The joy of running in community.” This may seem odd, but what does a solo sport like running have to do with community? I’m glad you asked.
It seems that running is pretty simple, put on some shoes and hit the open road. What does community have to do with it? I thought running was a solo sport? Actually, running with a group provides a number of mental and physical benefits. Running with a group actually helps you become a better runner by helping you with your form, providing accountability partners and supplying motivation. Just as important running groups help forge new friendships, help you find a sense of belonging, and in some cases, create unbreakable bonds. I can tell you I have experienced both. My running group has made me a better runner and some of my best friends have come out of the group. We run together, cry together, and laugh together.
So what does this have to do with the church? Notice the benefits: helps you become better, provides accountability and motivation; new friendships are forged and unbreakable bonds are created. If this can happen in a running group imagine what we could be doing within our faith communities. Too often people look at practicing our faith as a solo undertaking when the opposite is true – it is a communal undertaking. It is one in which we need to improve and be held accountable and motivated. And in addition to lifelong friendships we strengthen the most important relationship – our relationship with God.
Faith, developed in community, is more important now than ever. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, loneliness has become one of our top health challenges. Some studies have estimated that the impact of social isolation on mortality is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. According to Dr. Murthy:
- Loneliness can increase the risk of heart disease, dementia, stroke and premature death.
- It’s also expensive, with social isolation among older adults accounting for $6.7 billion in excess Medicare spending annually. That’s largely due to increased hospital and nursing facility spending.
- “In the last two decades, there’s been about a 50% decline in the amount of face time young people have with other people.”
We have the vaccine for the loneliness epidemic – a loving God who has created us for and provided us with community. It is a community founded on grace and love and centered in the life and example of Jesus Christ.
So let us know, how does your church create and foster community? We will share your ideas in a future post.