We long for deep friendships, for connection and care. We yearn to be known. We desire to be loved.
““To be loved and not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and fully loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” ”
Deep friendships are committed relationships where we care for one another, love one another, serve one another, carry one another's burdens, and work alongside one another. It is people living life together. Not superficial but transparent. Not condemned but welcomed. Not acquaintances but brothers and sisters. Not disconnected and lonely but known and loved. Not shamed but graced. Deep friendships live out the "one-anothers" of Scripture.
Yet these friendships, we find, are difficult to cultivate. We tend to want to isolate ourselves when we feel exposed or overwhelmed. We swim in a culture of individualism. We come to learn people do not reciprocate as we expect or desire.
We believe it is through the grace of God that we can experience these kinds of authentic, gritty, and enduring friendships. God's transforming grace to sinners and sufferers allows us to love others because we have been and are perfectly loved by Him. We can commit to one another because we've experienced God's grace, in Jesus. We can sacrificially love one another because God's grace is displayed through Jesus laying down his life for us. We can forgive and not forsake one another because God's grace is seen through Jesus paying for our sins and forgiving us. We can grow to look more like Jesus because God's grace is present with now through his Spirit.
The primary path for deep friendships at our church is smaller pockets of ten adults and their children called Community Groups. To learn more and get connected go here.