Have you ever met a new family, found that you became quick friends, and then, within a few short years, had to say goodbye as they moved away to pursue a dream or a job opportunity? Many of us have. Indeed, one of the challenges with making friends today is that people don’t stay in one place for long. Unlike most before us, we (at least in the West) can relocate thousands of miles with relative ease. In our individualistic, career-oriented culture, constant motion is the norm. And while I’m convinced the ease of relocation is a gift, something worth celebrating about the modern age, I’m also concerned that it’s hurting our ability to foster deep relationships, particularly in the context of a local church.

For years, voices within the Church have warned us of a crisis in discipleship. While lots of professing Christians are made through the ministries of our churches, there appear to be fewer people with Jesus-surrendered staying power. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). That’s a radical call—a counter-intuitive way to live. Such words push against the hustle, grind, and personal fulfillment narrative that many people spend their days pursuing.

While serving as the Adult Discipleship Pastor at my local church, several questions have arisen in my mind about this discipleship crisis. Is there a correlation between constant moving and the current landscape of following Jesus? Can men and women properly follow him if not deeply rooted in a local church? Does the ability to stay connected digitally make embodied community irrelevant? While I don’t have all the answers, I do have some thoughts that I believe can help the Church move in a positive direction.

A Better Way

We grow close to others as we spend time with them—asking good questions, experiencing highs and lows, laughing, eating, and making memories together. I experienced this in a meaningful way over the summer when our family took a 4,500-mile road trip to the western United States. Car Bingo, overnight stays in unfamiliar towns, exploring beautiful countryside, and eating at unique pizza restaurants had a wonderful effect on my relationship with my wife and daughters. I could feel the benefits in our conversations and interactions for weeks following the trip. As it turns out, being physically present is vital to deepening relationships as it helps satisfy our longing for connection.

Likewise, those in discipleship ministry often say that one main way to grow closer to Jesus and become like him is by deeply embedding ourselves into the life of a local church, not just attending a worship gathering, reading the Bible in isolation, or streaming a popular pastor’s content. Instead, we should live as part of the family of God throughout the week by engaging in activities like small groups, Bible studies, service projects, or care visits.

Some people argue that because the Apostle Paul lived a transient life, rootedness in a local church is merely a matter of preference. If Paul was on the move, that provides precedent for us to do the same, right? And what about Jesus? He was always on the go. While both men were certainly travel experts, the singular nature of Christ’s messianic role and Paul’s status as an Apostle should not be viewed as normative for Christians today. In our modern age of moving from place to place, the focus is almost always on self-advancement or upward mobility. We swim in the waters of individualism. Disciples of Jesus deny themselves and take up their cross and follow him, wherever he goes and however he leads. In a very palpable sense, following Jesus means unfollowing ourselves.

Life With Others

Immersing ourselves in the spiritual rhythms and life of a local church is a transformative act. In the context of a local church, we can hone our spiritual gifts like nowhere else. God has given gifts to his people for the common good of the church (1 Cor. 12:7). If we’re isolated or only have shallow relationships, our gifts won’t blossom or bless others. Why? Because trusted friendships in the church are the most natural place for the various gifts of the Spirit to be practiced. In the safety of these relationships, we know that if we say or do something wrong, we’re still loved and valued. The relationship isn’t shattered.

Likewise, when connected to a local church for the long haul, destructive sin patterns are brought to light in a way that produces healing and the power to overcome. Just about every secret sin we hold, the ones we hope no one discovers, can be conquered through the light of God’s love and the Spirit working through the prayers and encouragement of trusted friends. It doesn’t take a large army. Two or three people who love us enough to speak up, understand their own need for grace, and humbly tremble at God’s word (Isa. 66:2) have great healing power.

In the context of a local church, we can hear the word and do the word (James 1:22). Knowing a lot about the Bible does not make a true disciple. The Bible says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1). Additionally, if we do amazing things for God but don’t have love, we’re only making noise (1 Cor. 13:1). If we preach God’s Word with clarity and power but don’t have love, we’re nothing (1 Cor. 13:2).

Many more wonderful realities of belonging to a local church could be cited—realities that simply don’t exist in our transient, hustle-oriented world. But the truth is that if we want to follow Jesus and have a life that reflects his character and heart, the surest way to do so is to deeply root our lives in a gospel-centered local church. There’s no other way. Therefore, wherever you find yourself in the world, let God work in and through you there. Find a church, put down roots, and be transformed.