An excellent article from USA Today Thursday, December 7, 2010, describes a research study just released on people’s level of happiness. The results showed, “Attending religious services regularly and having close friends in the congregation are key to having a happier, more satisfying life.”
You can read the full article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/mind-soul/spirituality/2010-12-07-happyreligion07_ST_N.htm?csp=ylf
The research demonstrates how important it is for a person to have close friends in church, not just to attend. “The study also finds that 15% of weekly church attendees said they had no close friends at church, and people who say they participate in private religious practices, such as services held at home, were no happier than those who never attend congregational services.”
You can read the full report in the December issue of the American Sociological Review:
http://www.asanet.org/images/journals/docs/pdf/asr/Dec10ASRFeature.pdf
This study demonstrates to all of us in church leadership one more reason it is vitally important to help our church attenders connect relationally with others in the congregation. The delivery system is not the key (small groups, ministry teams, social functions), but that people establish meaningful relationships with a circle of friends.
Mel
