In an era that boasts the most human connectiveness in the history of the world, we struggle with isolation and depression in epidemic proportions. Evidently not all human connections are equal. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Katie Miller and Isaac Funk take on this crisis for connection directly. Not only do they identify the problem but also provide a vision for hope.

Show notes:

What do we mean by human connection?

• Human connection at a minimum is intersecting with another human being in physical or thought space.

• Human connection at a maximum is deeply knowing and being known by another.

What is at stake with poor human connection?

• Isolation, depression and insecurity are some of the fees we pay for poor human connection.

• Often poor connection with people translates to a poor connection with God.

What are the elements of healthy human connection?

• Healthy human connection requires time and space with people. It requires giving of oneself. The setting requires dynamic communication back and forth in real time.

What are the elements that we are competing against for healthy human connection?

• Technology often promotes a shallow connectivity rather than deep community. It is engineered for the transfer of data rather than facilitating robust human fellowship. It is primarily designed for ease, speed and enjoyment, all three of which are not realistic expectations for deep human connection.

• Our western culture of individualism promotes self-reliance, putting people head-to-head in competition rather than shoulder-to-shoulder in shared need.

• The economics of money and promotion tend to assert themselves in our decision making over and above community and the need for human connection.

What vision of hope does healthy human connection have?

• As humans created in God's image, we are designed for embodied human relationships. Relationships that linger in time and space, suffering long with others. Overcoming isolation and shame with reception.

• Connection with others plays on the basic elements of life: living together, eating together, sharing needs, living together with a family or living together as a church family.

• When we live well together with people, we are at an advantage to live well together with God.