“Circles are better than rows.” We’ve all heard this phrase used by our Teaching Pastor, Andy Stanley. You may be wondering what that even means.
Any given Sunday, you’ll find neighbors from the community at one of our campuses. You can wave, perhaps take a couple of seconds to shake hands or hug in the busy lobby.
But to get to know people and share life with them, you’ll need to circle up with them in a living room instead of sitting beside them in a row.
We all long for an authentic relationship, but it takes a bit of courage, doesn’t it?
In this post, I’ll give you three reasons why you shouldn’t procrastinate about finding an authentic circle. 2020 is the year you need to commit to going all-in with a trustworthy circle of friends. Let me share a few reasons why.
A friend of mine found out at 39 years of age that she had breast cancer. Within a year, she underwent treatments, surgery, and the hardest times imaginable for her family.
I can’t fathom how terrible a burden that would have been in the absence of community.
Having an authentic circle of friends to support you and your family through the unexpected lows as well as celebrate the peaks is a true gift.
God has not promised His people an easy life, but He has promised that we are not alone.
One of the ways He answers this promise is by giving us people to walk with during life’s different seasons.
New year, new you? Not if you don’t have some accountability partners!
We’re plowing full steam ahead into a new decade. It’s a time for reflection, goal setting, and vision casting.
What do you want to accomplish this year? Do you want to implement private disciplines to grow in relationship with God? Do you want better relationships with your spouse, significant other, and family members?
The best way to stick to the goals we set for ourselves is to share those goals with trusted friends, and then to have them hold you accountable for next steps.
Accountability from a circle you can count on to be real with you is a game-changer for personal growth.
A 2018 study published by the global health service company, CIGNA, found that 46% of U.S. adults report that they sometimes or always feel lonely.
The Surgeon General has referred to the rise in loneliness as an epidemic in this country.
We think that because we have hundreds of “friends” on Facebook, we’re more connected than ever. When it comes to social media, researchers found that it is not a predictor of loneliness.
What this means is that meaningful, in-person relationships with others are what keep us from feeling alone and disconnected. In short, we are all built for face to face connection.
2020 is the year you need an authentic community. Whether it’s the first time or the first time in a long time, this is the year for you to engage in community and join a group. Whatever the case, we would love to help! Go ahead and take a leap and sign up to join a group.