I’ve heard it said before frequently at church that “We’re all a family here.”  We sing that upbeat hymn “We’re Part of a Family….”  The idea is Biblical in nature.  And it’s true that first century Christians did refer to each other as brothers or brethren. I am reminded that individual churches were small as many met in houses or even underground.  It wasn’t difficult to get to know fellow Christians.

But when we speak of treating each other like family, I am uneasy about it.  I belong to a 1000 member church.  There are plenty of people there who I don’t know, and somehow they’re asking me to trust these people with my spirituality?  Sorry, I can’t do that.  I don’t know these people from Adam, nor should I be asked to trust these people if I’ve never had a conversation with them.  In order to let these people into my life I need to know them on a more intimate friendship level.  Just because we go to the same church doesn’t mean we should be best friend or even trust one another.  Trust is earned and not given, even in a church setting.