Destroying the Body of Christ: Isolation

Community in the Early Church

When I hear the phrase “the body of Christ”, a few images immediately pop up in my head, including the idea of community. I think of small groups meeting in someone’s house to walk through life together, friends chatting for hours after Sunday’s service, and getting to meet new people during large church events. This is one of the pillars of the modern Christian church, and is what makes non-believers want to get invested.

The reason that this idea is so prevalent is because it is a theme that is consistently strewn throughout the New Testament when describing the early church. After Jesus’ ascension in Acts 1, his followers quickly had to figure out what they were going to do next. So, they began getting together in fellowship with one another, meeting frequently to take care of each other and provide encouragement. From there, they began inviting others in these spaces, and as these groups grew, they became what we know to be the first churches. People recognized how important it was to come together to learn alongside other believers to figure out how to build the kingdom of God, and found a safe haven in these churches of like-minded individuals.

In fact, we actually see examples of this occurring in the Gospels while Jesus was still on the earth preaching and sharing. While many saw his teachings as controversial, others were enraptured by how different his ideas were from that of the world. He spoke with a clear authority, and was performing miracles to show to the people that this authority was true. This caused him to not only create a big following, but also brought people together in the love that he displayed. My favorite example is seen in Luke 5, when a group of men come together to love and support their friend.

“And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.” (Luke 5:18-25)

This passage speaks volumes because the community that the man on the bed found is what made it possible for him to be healed. His friends sacrificed a lot to give him every chance to get to Jesus, and if you notice, Jesus told him that his sins were forgiven once he saw the faith of his friends. The people that this man in his life has an immeasurable impact, and if he was surrounded by people that were more focused on themselves and their own glory, he would likely still be living on that bed.

The Existence of Isolation

This vision of community is absolutely beautiful, and it makes my heart so happy to think about believers taking care of one another in love, but there is a problem. Like every other part of this series, there is a visible dissonance between what we know to be true as Christians and how we actually apply it. While this is a lovely vision to have of the church, to see it unified in self-sacrifice, I’ve witnessed firsthand how skewed this is in reality.

Firstly, I know with confidence that I am not the only one that sees the rise of cliques in churches in Christian groups. Every space has its groups of people that naturally keep to themselves, and remain a tight circle that moves separately from the rest of the body. When I say “clique”, I assume that your brain went to the same place that mine did, which is Regina George and the Plastics from Mean Girls (or maybe you weren’t thinking this at all; I’ve seen that movie too many times). These girls are downright bullies that tear down anyone else in their path, relentlessly using their words and their authority to make other people feel small. While I am not in any way denying that groups like these do exist in Christian spaces, more often than not the cliques that exist aren’t as obviously toxic. In fact, these people may be obedient Christ-followers that have hearts for Him, but when it comes to fellowship, they stay in their single group of friends anytime they go to their college group.

Unfortunately, I have seen this too many times. For those of you that know my story, you know that the Lord has taken me to quite a few different churches throughout my life, and in every single one, I’ve seen these to be clearly present. In fact, when I was searching for a home church of my own during my freshman year, I struggled to find one because of how I wasn’t included in many of the spaces I entered. While I was welcomed with open arms when I walked in to a gathering I knew nothing about, and the people there had nothing but sweet things to say to me, it was clear that these groups were already comfortable in the dynamics that they had established, and made me feel like I was butting into a place that didn’t have a space for me. It was difficult, because these people all clearly had a love for God that I admired, but I wasn’t made to feel like I belonged. As much as I dearly wanted to start attending this church, and loved everything that they stood for, I felt left out and isolated. This only led to my increasing anxiety any time I attended that church, until eventually I stopped coming altogether.

The reason I share all of this is not to try and victimize my experiences or to attempt to gain pity, but instead because I know that I am not the only one that struggles with this. I see this so frequently in colleges, especially when students go to school somewhere far away from home, forcing them to find a church of their own. So many students have fallen through the cracks because they weren’t welcomed into spaces by those that have established themselves there, leading to loneliness, isolation, and a lack of spiritual encouragement in their lives. And, as somebody who absolutely thrives on fellowship and community, this sounds like the worst possible way to go through life.

The calling

This is a big issue, and not one that I will allow to fall through the cracks and be neglected. Not only have I felt spiritual isolation by not being welcomed in a myriad of spaces, but I unfortunately recall all of the times that I have failed others by choosing to live in my own bubble instead of reaching out to welcome them into such a new environment. I recognize now that I have caused people to feel unloved and unwanted when they made a big step to try and get involved with a local Christian community, and understand how I have fallen short in my obedience to the Lord’s commands.

Because of the nature of this issue, there is a twofold calling in creating further unity within the church. The first part of this is to those of you that are established in your local Christian community. This applies to those of you that have a home church, feel comfortable in your young adults group, or have other similar spaces where you feel a strong sense of belonging. These spaces are such a blessing, and I am so thankful that the Lord has provided people that can encourage and convict you, and walk alongside you for all parts of life. This is a lovely place that you have found, but don’t forget that the body of Christ is not exclusive. Don’t restrict your view of that church or that group simply to those that you already know, or your small circle of friends. In doing this, you not only make others feel distant and isolated, but you fail to recognize the collective mission of the worldwide church. It is not just your friend group chasing after Christ, or just your local church sharing the Gospel, but all those that claim Jesus as their Savior that need to be working together in obedience. With this in the forefront of your mind, it becomes like second nature to welcome new people in your spaces, leaving you eager to see what divine purpose the Lord has brought them there for. Every person is equipped with their own spiritual gifts, talents, and experiences that lead them to a unique way in which they were made to reflect Christ’s love, like we see in 1 Corinthians 12. This means that it is our responsibility to welcome in these people for who they are, which are individuals that were led by God to find where He wants them to serve. Otherwise, we run the risk of losing out on opportunities that the Lord has given us.

“But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:20-26)

In addition, there is a call to those of you that related to my experiences with feeling isolated in spaces that should be the first to bring people in. First of all, you are not alone. Going to a new church, a new young adult group, a new space of any sort is difficult, and it take a lot of resolve to do something so out of your comfort zone on your own. I am proud of you for the step in obedience that you have taken, even if it doesn’t look like what you thought it would. I hate saying this, because it feels so abstract, but do not grow weary. It might take trial and error, and there will be disappointments along the way. Unfortunately, the reality is that the body of Christ is made up of broken, sinful human beings that are guided by a perfect, holy Savior. While there is something special about finding a group of believers, every single Christian you know will let you down. However, I believe that the Lord has a place for you, although I can’t promise that it will happen as quickly as you want it to. Trust me, I would know. But, we can be encouraged by Galatians 6:9, which tells us to “not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Despite the discouragement, keep pressing on, and keep searching to discover the will of God in your life. Continue to put yourself out there, understanding that not every space will be a right fit for you, and that is okay. The Lord is good, and He alone is our Provider and our Protector, who we can rest in during times of trouble.