Friends and Strangers

I think we need a new dictionary to describe relationships.

Are people from my church considered friends or family? And does that go for people just in my local church, or the church universal? Are the people I meet online and engage frequently in meaningful conversation friends or strangers? Are the people I considered my best friends 20 or 30 years ago still my friends today even if I hardly or never talk to them?

I'm connecting with two new communities this weekend, and even though they are probably strangers in the strict sense of the word, I feel close to them. Is that normal?

The first community is Celebrate Church in Sioux Falls, SD. I'll be sharing an intimate story with this congregation on Saturday night and Sunday morning, and I've been praying for them long before I was to meet them. I did meet the pastor, Keith Loy, in person last year. We were at a church conference, and while his kids joyfully ran all over the resort, we enjoyed dinner together with our spouses. It was awesome to hear his testimony of growing a tiny church to 3000 people, and it was clear his message of love was matched only by his actions of love. If his people are anything like their pastor, I know we'll bond.

The second community is a group of women who love to blog. On Monday this exciting new project called (in)Courage will launch; and those of us who have been invited by DaySpring to participate have been emailing and twittering and chatting on forums for several months in preparation for this exciting event. Without meeting any of them (except Holley Gerth, the Big Cheese of the whole operation), I already have a great sense of connection with them. They are good, thoughtful, funny, lovely people—and admittedly a bit zany.

You may have landed on my blog because Ginny Martyn introduced you to me. I've been reading her blog and have had my thoughts stimulated time and time again because of her willingness to articulate deep concepts. Plus, she called me a triple threat. She's my friend forever now. :)

Another new friend from this group is Robin Dance. I knew her first because we have many mutual friends (there's that word again) on Twitter. I was led to her blog because of (in)Courage, and am delighted to discover that she's not only good with 140 characters—that girl can conjure up gorgeous images when she frees herself to use 140+ sentences. (I'm a sucker for word pictures!)

So is it normal to call these people friends?

I think so. I think we've entered a new era where "small world" takes on new meaning. We can connect on a deep level with folks we meet around the world without neglecting our next-door neighbor. Treasuring old friends and near friends, new friends and virtual friends enriches our lives. How does that old ditty go? "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."

I hope you'll connect with your church family tomorrow—and surf the net.