No One Left Out by Kelley Barton

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 The Message

It is easy to slip in and out of church with no conversation, especially for introverts. And it’s also easy for us to talk to our friends, and not notice the person off to the side, looking at their phone with no one to talk to (unless you are Bill White, who has this superpower).

If it is your gift to chat up new people, please do. But let’s also not forget the next step.

Just as there is risk in asking someone on a date, there is risk in trying to form a new friendship. If you ask to meet for coffee, what if they say no? I am such an extrovert, a no just rolls off me. My husband, the introvert, would rather not ask.

There is another tool that CCLB offers that might help you ease into making new friends a bit easier. Our small groups.

The small group I attend is so diverse in thought, experience and point of view, yet the collective discussion is inspiring. Intellectual, heartfelt, passionate, and woundedness flows in conversation. I am hopeful that within our group, a few will take that step to grow a friendship with someone in group they resonate with. 

For me, small groups at CCLB are different than any others I’ve attended over the years at other churches. What we hear at CCLB on Sundays seems to free us up to express our wounds, share deeply and honestly with each other.

Getting to connect with others and hear about their lives is a constant reminder of how important it is to get outside of your own head. You might also not only feel supported in what is happening in your life, but reminded to think and care about others.

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll be ready to see who wants to meet for coffee or go for a walk. Helping us to meet the goal that no one is left out, no one left behind.