Defining “Connected”

Chuck on June 15th, 2009

We all talk about college-age people being “disconnected” from the church.  I think that’s pretty clear – and obvious.  But, how do we define a “connected” person?  What is the criteria by which we determine whether or not someone is connected?

If we can’t determine the criteria we won’t ever be able to see whether or not we’re doing what we’re saying ought to be done. Let me begin the discussion by listing out ways in which I don’t think are proper criteria for determining this.  Then, you can put in your thoughts and we’ll see where this goes.

  • I don’t think attendance in a church service defines connected.
  • I don’t think being involved in a small group put on by our college ministry defines connected.
  • I don’t think serving in a ministry defines connected.
  • And, I don’t think attending events defines whether or not someone is connected.

Related posts:

  1. Christian College Environments [3]
  2. churches that embrace college-age people
  3. Possible Small Group Discussion
  4. Para-Confused In The Church
  5. “All My Students Move Away to College”

Share Discuss (24)

Jeff Patterson at 3:59pm June 15

We can describe connected, but I don’t think we can measure it. I chuckle everytime I hear of a college group’s “success” put in numerical form.

When crisis hits (relationally, financially, a tough spot in the family), to where and whom do college students turn/run? If it isn’t to people in the church, then they are not really connected to us. (Or us to them.)

Steve at 11:32pm June 22

I’m not sure how to define “connected” but here’s a way to test for it:
* If the person were to leave the church, would they experience a sense of loss? Would the remaining members of the church experience loss?
* Do the person’s relationships in the church encourage spiritual growth? Do they evidence the fruits of the spirit (not just connection, but spiritually healthy connection)? Is involvement in the church a life-giving experience? or is church involvement merely a diversion, or a chore?
* To borrow a phrase from Young Life, have you “earned the right to be heard” when you speak truth to difficult situations in their life?
* Do they sense that what God has for them cannot be fulfilled apart from relationships with other christians? (i.e., the “one another”-type commands that were introduced by Jesus in John 15:12ff)
* As leaders, do we sense our repsonsibility for the part that we play in promoting their spiritual health? (Heb. 12:12-15)