Mandi

Weird. This is the 2nd thing I've seen on this verse today not meaning what I've always thought it to mean!

I think this is a big problem in general. People are very self-focused and focused on their kids and what sport/activity they are doing that season to where no one has time to form actual lasting friendships. We are all too busy. Our church is big on "doing life together." We have small groups and we joined one as soon as we joined the church. It takes time and intention. We have people we can now rely on when we need. Deep friendship is still hard though! But trying to get there. I desire very much to have good friends at church and feel much of the time that everyone there has well established friendships because they've been there since the church started and we are still on the outside. Its hard. We recently started leading our own life group (small group), and have a small handful of people that come. Its frustrating when you don't have consistency because you want everyone to grow close. Makes me miss our group we came from, but I know its where we are supposed to be and exciting to kind of shepherd and be a part of peoples Christian walk. Chuches today for the most part it seems are not the churches they talk about in the NT where people were at each others houses and sharing, giving what was needed and talking about things of God all the time. Also I think we have to remember pastors are just people like you and I and they can't read minds. If you are discouraged, tell them. If you're discouraged because you've felt overlooked, share that with them. 9 times out of 10 they had no clue. They deal with a lot of people all week long. I'm sorry you are going through this. Its frustrating to desire close Christian fellowship and not have it at the church you go to. Another note: if the church you are going to doesn't like small groups because they feel like it will take away from actual church you may need to find another church. They should never feel threatened by something like that. Speaks volumes about the leadership.

I grew up in the South and that's just what we did. I teach my kiddo's the same thing. It's just polite to say "sir" and "ma'am." It was so ingrained in me that I called my drill sergeants that. They didn't like it so much...I ended up doing lots of push ups...but it's all good. I still say that to older people.