Is Church Still Relevant? Why Community Matters More Than Ever

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds. – Hebrews 10:24

I get it. You’re scrolling through your phone on a Sunday morning, maybe sipping coffee in your pajamas, and wondering if you really need to get dressed and drive somewhere to connect with God or find meaning. After all, you can stream sermons online, pray anywhere, and find spiritual content at your fingertips. So why does church—and the community it offers—still matter?

The honest answer might surprise you: it’s not really about the building or even being physically present every Sunday. It’s about something our hyperconnected yet increasingly isolated world desperately needs—authentic community. And here’s the beautiful thing: genuine community can happen whether you’re in the sanctuary, joining us online, or connecting through a simple phone call or text message.

The Loneliness Epidemic No One Talks About

We’re living through what researchers are calling a “loneliness epidemic.” Despite having more ways to connect than ever before, studies show that people feel more isolated, anxious, and purposeless than previous generations. We have hundreds of social media “friends” but struggle to find someone to call when life gets hard. We can order anything we want delivered to our door, but we’re starving for genuine human connection.

This isn’t just a “feeling”—it’s affecting our mental and physical health in measurable ways. Chronic loneliness has been linked to depression, anxiety, and even shorter lifespans. We’re surrounded by people but feel fundamentally alone.

When I was younger, I went through a time when I felt alone. I wasn’t sure about friends, where I fit in, what I wanted to do or be about. It just felt really lonely. But the loneliness was alleviated by a group at my church called the Men’s Club Band. They were really a group of guys who got together to play guitar, sing, and just enjoy having fun. They invited me to play with them, and I started playing guitar and quickly shifted to the upright bass. Even though I was younger, it was one of the most formative experiences for me being in community with those men!

What Makes Church Community Different

Here’s what I’ve discovered: church community offers something unique that you can’t quite replicate in casual social settings. It’s a place—whether physical or digital—where people gather not because they have everything figured out, but because they’re all trying to grow, serve, and figure it out together.

In a world that often feels like it’s every person for themselves, church community says, “We’re in this together.” It’s where the successful businessperson connects with the struggling student, where the new parent gets encouragement from the empty-nester, and where everyone—regardless of their Monday-through-Saturday life—comes as they are.

For some, this community happens in the pews on Sunday morning. For others, it might be through our online chat during services, followed by a phone call during the week. Some of our most meaningful connections happen when someone who’s been watching online reaches out via text, email, or a simple “hello” in the chat. Community isn’t limited by walls or mobility—it’s about hearts that are open to genuine connection.

When Hebrews talks about provoking “one another to love and good deeds,” it’s painting a picture of people who are actively invested in each other’s growth and well-being. That investment can happen through a conversation after service, a thoughtful message during the week, or even through the encouragement shared in our online chat. That’s hard to find these days, but it’s exactly what our souls are craving.

The Ripple Effect of Belonging

When you’re part of a genuine community, something beautiful happens. You stop being just a consumer of inspiration and start becoming a contributor to something bigger than yourself. You discover that your struggles can help someone else, your talents can serve a purpose beyond personal success, and your presence actually matters to people.

This isn’t about guilt or obligation—it’s about the profound human need to belong and contribute. In church community, the shy person finds their voice, the tired parent finds support, the young adult finds mentorship, and the retiree finds new purpose. Everyone has something to offer, and everyone has something to receive.

But What About All the Imperfections?

Let’s be real for a moment. Church communities aren’t perfect. They’re made up of imperfect people trying to follow a perfect God, which means there will be awkward moments, disagreements, and sometimes genuine hurt. Some people might wonder if it’s worth dealing with the messiness of human relationships.

But here’s the thing: that messiness is actually part of the point. Learning to extend grace, work through differences, and love people who aren’t exactly like us—these are the skills that make us better humans everywhere else too. Church community becomes a safe place to practice the kind of love and patience our world desperately needs to see.

Your Community Is Waiting

Whether you’ve been away from church for a while, you’ve never been, or you’re a longtime member wondering if it still matters—here’s what I want you to know: you have something unique to offer, and there’s a place for you in community.

You don’t have to have your life figured out. You don’t have to agree with everything. You don’t have to be at a certain spiritual level. You just have to show up as yourself, ready to both give and receive the kind of authentic connection that makes life richer.

The question isn’t really whether church is still relevant. The question is whether we’re brave enough to choose real community, vulnerable relationships over surface-level interactions, and shared purpose over individual pursuits.

In a world that often feels fragmented and isolating, church community offers something countercultural and healing: a place where you’re known, valued, and supported in becoming the best version of yourself while helping others do the same.

Your Next Step

If you’ve been wondering whether church community is for you, we’d love to have you join us—whether that’s this Sunday in person or online from wherever you are. Come as you are—questions, doubts, hopes, and all. We’re not looking for perfect people; we’re looking for real people ready to do life together.

If joining us physically isn’t possible right now, know that community can still happen. Jump into our online chat during services, send us an email, or reach out with a simple text. Some of our deepest friendships have started with someone who was watching from home and decided to connect. Distance doesn’t have to mean disconnection.

And if you’re already part of our community—whether you’re with us in person or online—consider how you might reach out to someone who could use the kind of belonging and encouragement you’ve found here. Maybe it’s a phone call to someone you noticed in the chat, a text to check in during the week, or simply being the first to welcome someone new. Sometimes the most powerful invitation isn’t a formal one—it’s simply showing someone they matter through your authentic care.

Because in the end, the relevance of the church isn’t measured by its programs or buildings, but by how well it helps people find their place in God’s story and in each other’s lives—no matter where they are or how they connect. And that’s a mission that will never go out of style by its programs or buildings, but by how well it helps people find their place in God’s story and in each other’s lives. And that’s a mission that will never go out of style.