The People Connection

Barbara Streisand is known for a popular song about a people connection. It’s still a pleasure to hear her singing, “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.”

I recently ran across an article about *working from home. The author listed several positives but closed with one drawback: social isolation.

Mr. Schindler wrote, “While we can meet virtually, you really need face-to-face interaction with other humans. People need people. You can’t really do that on a phone or computer.”

COVID updates also reflect this theory. Would you believe children were slower in learning to talk? The cause? For months caregivers wore a mask and children could not observe lip movements.

Also reported were setbacks in education due to online classes. Adults may do well with such options, but it seems children still need personal classroom interaction.

People needing people is nothing new. I heard a teaching today on Acts 2:42 that caught my attention. After Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, verse 41 says about 3,000 people believed his message and were added to the church.

That’s what makes verse 42 (NKJV) fascinating:  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

I grew up with the idea of “fellowship meetings” where people gathered from churches in our district for a morning service, followed by a potluck meal. Years later, the district aspect was gone, but fellowship continued locally.

Is fellowship the same as the breaking of bread? “The breaking of bread” always meant communion to me, but Acts 2:42 lists 4 separate activities, so I took a deeper look. 

Fellowship indicates a friendly association of people with shared interests. There is a feeling of companionship, conviviality, and concern for one another. Their fellowship included a shared meal, followed by communion and prayers.  

People need people. But even when Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, church attendance dipped. One reason may be that many churches developed online ministries. Another reason may be our affluent lifestyles create no felt need for one another.

Loneliness, suicide, and depression are sometimes due to isolation. A people connection is important, and fellowship in a church is a viable option.

When we change our ways, good things can happen.

*Arizona Rated Eighth Best State for Working from Home, Kevin Schindler, QCBN; Quad Cities Business News, Prescott, AZ, June 2023, p. 4.