The Importance of Community During a Loss

When you experience the loss of someone you love, whom do you turn to? Are there people around you that can comfort, love and support you? We all need community going through a loss, who is your community?

This past week (September 29, 2015) my amazing brother-in-law had unexpectedly passed away in his office, leaving my sister and 3 children under the age of 3. This was a terrible tragedy and a great loss.

After I found out, I went home to my wife and from there we rushed over to my twin brother’s house. When we arrived there was a close family friend already helping with the children.

Shortly after, my sister arrived and our family was able to console/grieve with her. It was not long until something special happened.

Her Sunday school teacher, his wife and their care group leader came to love on her and our family. Not only did they come over, the senior pastor, Dr. Johnny Hunt, who is an extremely busy man and the executive pastor came by to minister and pray with my sister and our family.

Her Sunday school leaders visited every day even until after the funeral. During the visitation, the evening before the funeral, they provided food and sweet tea (we are Southerners after all) for the whole family.

Another class helped orchestrate a huge potluck meal for family and friends, feeding over 150 people after the funeral.

People’s prayers, love and support never cease to amaze me.

The church that my wife and I attend supported us by sending flowers, cards, words of encouragement, and attending both the visitation and the funeral. Their love, prayer and support helped us greatly.

After the funeral on Saturday evening, I was talking with my wife about going to church the next day. She agreed that we needed to be with our church family.

The love, prayer and support from all of our church families got us through the toughest week of our lives.

I could not imagine going through a week like that without the support of our church families.

Many people don’t like to get plugged into a church past going to a service. If I learned anything this week, it is that we MUST have the support of a church family that is specifically found in a small group.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Many Christians think that they can do the whole Christian life solo, but you can’t. If even for selfish reasons, without community, you will miss out on the love, prayer and support that you need when going through a difficult time.

My heart goes out to Christians and non-believers who do not have this amazing support system.

So, basically what I am trying to say to you:

Get plugged into a small group at your local church.

How have your experienced the love of your church and small group?

I would love to hear your story!