A national survey released recently by Relationships Australia suggests the under 30s may well be the loneliest generation of all - Source. According to the Relationships Indicators Survey 2011, 30 per cent of Australians aged 25 to 34 told the survey they were frequently lonely, significantly more than any other age group. The next most lonely were the young adults aged 18-24. Just under 20 per cent of them were frequently lonely. Interesting, in the light of the amount of time people spend ‘with' each other on-line in the internet age.“Generation Y so connected, but oh so lonely: Survey. Theatre Director Bryce Ives came home from a wedding recently, and was amazed by how lonely he felt. "Oh my, those people were so happy and I was so furious and angsty, there by myself at 2am eating toast and having a beer," he says. At 27, Mr Ives is part of the most connected generation we've ever seen. ...” - Source
Social commentator Hugh Mackay has warned against a "new form of RSI - Reduced Social Interaction syndrome" caused by the lack of the "emotional nutrition" of spending time face to face with others - Source. The desire for love, says Mackay, is the deepest of all our desires that when freely given offers the most enduring contribution to a better world. (See Hugh Mackay, “What Makes Us Tick?” Hachette 2010).
One vital component of genuine loving community is that it must include space for people to spend unscheduled face-to-face time with each other. Authentic relationships are at the heart of the gospel! If we are to model genuine community and if we are to get close enough to people to serve them meaningfully – we need to cultivate the practice of intentional relationship building.
I have observed that often, whilst the will is there, the skills and the confidence to initiate life-giving conversations have not been developed, and the confidence is lacking to sustain deep conversations with those still outside our close circle.
It is an art to actively listen and respond authentically, and too often we scratch no deeper than the weather and footy scores.
Conversations marked by genuine, listening, caring, encouraging empathy are the grammar of community.
This is foundational to connecting with others in our neighborhoods and networks.
A number of years ago we developed a series of relationship workshops designed to build confidence in forming and sustaining transforming, witnessing relationships.
This proven training has been adapted as the “Connect Training” and can be conducted for your church community or team. Participants will engage proven keys that will grow their confidence to converse deeply with others. They will earn how to develop life-changing friendships and how to appropriately serve and care for others.
Simple, transferable principles and very practical skills that will encourage the forming of genuine lasting friendships. Introverts as well as ‘people-persons’ will appreciate this tried and tested training. Older children and youth will not feel out of place in attending.
This is not a lecture series but an interactive, fun experience! It can be tailored to fit the local context. Contact me if you would like to learn more! Or check out the training page here.
